The corncrake has suffered catastrophic declines due to mechanised hay cutting but has partially recovered in crofting communities of the Western Isles where traditional land management is maintained.
Early mechanical mowing causes direct mortality through cutting and crushing of adults and chicks, and the death of eggs in nests before hatching. Birds that escape mowing of their natal field are displaced into suboptimal habitat. Late cutting as promoted by RSPB and agri-environment schemes directly prevents this mortality and represents one of the clearest links between management practice and individual welfare outcome.