The corncrake has retreated to the Scottish islands and western fringes of Ireland, where traditional machair hay meadow management determines breeding success and welfare.
Corncrake welfare is directly shaped by agricultural management decisions. Early mowing of hay meadows before chick fledging causes direct mortality through mowing machines and predation exposure. Corncrake-friendly mowing - starting from the centre and cutting outward, combined with late cutting dates - allows families to escape to field margins. Agri-environment payments for delayed mowing directly improve individual corncrake welfare.