A PIONEERING project to conserve a secretive and elusive Scottish bird species has celebrated the creation of a 2000-hectare area dedicated to help with preservation.
The project called Corncrake Calling is led by the RSPB and seeks to unite farmers, crofters, local communities, and conservationists to reverse the decline of the corncrake, a red-listed species.
The project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been going on for four years and delivered essential conservation work for the preservation of the species.
In recent years, the corncrake population has declined sharply, and its conservation status remains precarious to this day.
“Corncrake Calling has made significant strides to help protect corncrakes in Scotland. The project has been an amazing example of how conservationists, farmers, crofters and communities working together can deliver fantastic results for wildlife,” said Tara Proud, Corncrake Calling project manager.
Nowadays, these birds can only be found in certain islands in Scotland and part of the north-west coast.
Corncrake population numbers have decreased due to farming methods and the RSPB, through this project, has been working with farmers, crofters and landowners to restore a corncrake-friendly habitat and adapt farming practices to the species.
It involves creating areas of tall vegetation, crucial for the species' behaviour, and adjusting mowing schedules to give flightless chicks a better chance to fledge before the machinery passes through the fields.
This project has allowed the creation of 2000 hectares of habitat for the species across the Hebridean Islands alone thanks to agreements with farmers and landowners.
“The successes we’ve celebrated show the importance of collaboration if we are going to reverse wildlife declines. We know nature is in crisis in Scotland and urgent action is needed to protect and restore wildlife,” said Proud.
Katie-Jo Luxton, the RSPB’s director of conservation called for support for farmers from the Government to continue to help wildlife, the climate and long-term food security “so that species like corncrake can thrive once more”.
Fiona MacLeod, a crofter with the Corncrake Calling initiative said: “Corncrake Calling was a great success for the corncrakes on our land. They returned and successfully bred each year. The programme offered excellent practical advice and it’s a privilege to protect this species in line with my forebears.”
