Corncrake Welfare and Mowing Timing in European Meadow Management

The corncrake is a secretive summer visitor to European meadows that has declined dramatically due to early mechanical mowing killing chicks and eggs before they can escape.

Key Facts

Corncrake populations have declined by over 90% in Western Europe since the 1970s
They nest on the ground in tall grass meadows, becoming vulnerable to mowing from June onwards
Mechanical mowing typically kills chicks and eggs in nests that birds cannot escape in time
Ireland and Scotland hold the most important remaining UK corncrake populations
Delayed mowing after 1 August and mowing from the centre outward significantly reduces chick mortality

Welfare Considerations

Corncrake chick mortality from mechanical mowing is a direct welfare harm causing traumatic injury and death to individual birds, as well as population-level impacts through reduced breeding productivity. Chicks are flightless for several weeks after hatching and cannot escape approaching machinery. Adults sitting on eggs also suffer direct mortality from mowing. The welfare solution is straightforward — delaying mowing and changing mowing direction from the centre outward allows birds to escape to field margins. Agri-environment scheme payments for delayed mowing have successfully improved corncrake breeding outcomes in Ireland and Scotland.

What You Can Do

Advocate for agri-environment scheme payments for delayed mowing in corncrake areas
Support RSPB and local wildlife trust corncrake conservation projects in Scotland and Ireland
Implement delayed mowing and outward mowing patterns on any hay meadows you manage
Report corncrake sightings to national recording schemes to help identify priority conservation areas
Donate to corncrake recovery programmes that work with farmers on habitat management