Corncrake (Crex crex)

Another early start for bird surveys, first i had transects to walk (wish i'd worn my wellies, it was mightily boggy out on the machair today). Then later i had a series of 1 hour vantage point surveys where i sit in my vehicle and record what birds are using specific plots and how they are using it.

While doing my third vantage point of the day, i saw, out of the corner of my eye, something moving. After staring at the empty spot for 30 seconds or so the bird showed itself again briefly and i grabbed my camera. A skulky Corncrake! My first for the year. There wasn't much cover and it had been hiding behind a rusty metal object that had been discarded.

The Outer Hebrides is one of the strongholds of this species - they used to breed all over the UK but since changes in farming methods since the 19th century their range has decreased and they were in danger of becoming extinct as a breeding bird in Britain. Thankfully they held on here, mainly in the Inner and Outer Hebrides - the farming methods here are very low intensity and there have also been a number of schemes run by the RSPB to improve the Corncrake's lot. An example of this is a small payment to the crofter to delay cutting his hay/silage until after the 1st August and when he does cut to mow in a "Corncrake friendly manner" which is either mowing in strips or working from the inside to the outside of the field. This is because a Corncrake being such a skulky beastie would rather die, chopped up in the mower than cross open ground.

Sorry if there is loads of information here but i love Corncrakes with a passion, they are fascinating birds - the call is very unique and has been likened to a comb being drawn across a piece of wood. Also they look so ungainly if you see them briefly flying low from one patch of cover to another, yet they fly all the way to Africa and back. One of the best jobs i ever had was for the RSPB up on the Isle of Lewis when i lived there and was the Corncrake Officer - it was my job to go out every night during Corncrake season, between midnight and 3am, and map all the calling (male) Corncrakes.