Wildlife

UK Corncrake Conservation and Grassland Management

The recovery of corncrakes in UK upland and island grasslands through targeted conservation management.

Key Facts

Corncrakes declined catastrophically due to mechanised hay cutting
UK population is concentrated on Scottish islands and Irish grasslands
Delayed mowing after August allows chicks to fledge before harvest
Male corncrakes call persistently at night to attract mates
BTO monitoring shows slow recovery with agri-environment support

Welfare Considerations

Corncrakes face high individual mortality from mechanised cutting and predation, and habitat management practices directly determine survival outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB corncrake conservation on Scottish islands
Advocate for delayed mowing schemes in agri-environment policy
Learn to identify the distinctive crex crex call of corncrakes