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Corncrake BAP report

Pair of corncrakes among horsetails, Tiree, Scotland
Corncrakes are now strongly linked to traditional cattle-based crofting

What are we trying to achieve?

The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1995, for which the RSPB is the lead partner. The targets for this plan were revised in 2006 and are as follows:

  • Increase the number of calling male corncrakes in England and Northern Ireland to 22 by 2010
  • Increase the number of 10 km squares supporting calling male corncrakes in England and Northern Ireland to 3 by 2010
  • Maintain the range of corncrakes in the Scotland at or above the current level

What is the RSPB doing to help?

In 2006 the RSPB carried out a wide range of work to help corncrakes, including:

  • Conducting research into the precise ecological requirements of the species
  • Successfully advocating and advising on the integration of prescriptions for corncrake conservation into the standard agri-environment payments available to farmers
  • Administering and part funding the RSPB/Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)/Scottish Crofting Foundation Corncrake Initiative. This scheme delivers direct payment to farmers and crofters with corncrakes calling on their land, in return for them managing their land in a way that benefits the birds
  • Conducting detailed research into the efficacy of various corncrake conservation schemes and measures
  • Managing land on eight RSPB reserves for corncrake
  • Establishing management agreements with farmers and crofters over other areas of land
  • Running grassland management schemes jointly with SNH on Skye
  • Continuing the trial corncrake reintroduction project in south-east England, in partnership with Natural England as part of the Action for Birds in England programme, the Zoological Society of London and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust
  • Supporting corncrake recovery programmes in Ireland

This continues a programme of detailed work on corncrake that the RSPB has been undertaking for a number of years in partnership with SNH, the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Crofting Foundation and Natural England.

Corncrake numbers 1978-2005
Number of calling male corncrakes in Britain and the Isle of Man 1978-2006. Blue bars represent population in core areas of Scotland; other colours represent counts outside core areas (2005 was not a full census year).

Summary of progress

The corncrake underwent a catastrophic decline across the bulk of its range in the UK through the 20th century. Since 1992, when the RSPB became involved with corncrake conservation, the population has more than doubled. There were at least 1145 singing males in Great Britain and the Isle of Man in 2006, exceeding the original BAP population target. However, the corncrake remains in a precarious position, as there has been no net increase in range since conservation work began and this remains a key challenge.

Has our work been effective?

There was relatively little known about the requirements of corncrakes before the RSPB became involved. Having our own research department, we were able to quickly initiate detailed research into corncrake ecology. This provided a clear picture of what the birds need. Our reserves department could then implement the necessary measures on our own land, and policy and local staff could start finding mechanisms to encourage implementation in the wider countryside, working in partnership with farmers, crofters, agencies and other NGOs.

Fourteen years on, a steep decline in breeding numbers has become a significant increase in numbers. It appears that, in the case of the corncrake, the RSPB’s science-based, pragmatic approach to conservation is beginning to deliver real benefits.

The Corncrake Initiative is a tried and tested scheme, which has attracted many participants in the past (266 at its peak in 1995) and has delivered corncrake prescriptions. Numbers of participants have come down as the delivery of corncrake management is shifting to statutory schemes, such as the agri-environment schemes and the Special Protection Area (SPA) management scheme (Natural Care) run by SNH.

It is too early to assess the long-term effectiveness of the reintroduction scheme in England, although in 2004 there was a confirmed breeding attempt at the RSPB’s Nene Washes reserve, the first record since the project began in 2002. In 2006, 3 males released at the Nene Washes in 2005 returned along with an unringed male, but although this is encouraging, no breeding was confirmed. A further 80 juveniles were released at this site.

What do we plan to do next?

The increase in the number of corncrakes is very encouraging (especially given that the original BAP targets have been exceeded). However, the population is far from secure. The origainal BAP target for range expansion has not been achieved, expanding the range of corncrake is a key issue. Changes in Scottish agri-environment schemes represent a challenge: the former Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) schemes have been replaced by the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS). This includes comprehensive prescriptions for corncrake, but has limited funding. 

The RSPB will:

  • Explore potential for extending corncrake management to facilitate range expansion
  • Encourage SNH to maintain the Corncrake SPA management schemes and to financially support the Corncrake Initiative
  • Work to increase uptake of the RSS corncrake option by providing direct input to the plans at the drafting stage
  • Continue to concentrate on direct delivery on RSPB recovery areas
  • Encourage other organisations to continue with recovery work and to develop initiatives with partner organisations such as Scottish Crofting Foundation, Scottish Wildlife Trust, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Agricultural College and farmers and crofters
  • Continue the corncrake reintroduction project in England and work with Natural England and landowners to extend the area of suitable habitat
  • Continue to encourage BirdWatch Ireland in delivery of corncrake recovery measures in the Republic of Ireland
  • Use the results of current research to optimise the effectiveness of practical conservation measures
  • Continue the annual survey of core areas (which hold c.90% of the corncrake population)
  • Assess, as part of a three-year research project, the wider biodiversity benefits of agri-environment schemes for birds, focusing on three species including the corncrake

What are the constraints to fully achieving the targets?

The most significant blocks to achieving the Biodiversity Action Plan targets are:

  • A failure to deliver corncrake prescriptions due to inadequate funding or misapplication of new schemes, leading to more intensive land management on Scottish islands
  • Lack of enhanced policies to maintain, support and stimulate active crofting. Abandonment of crofting land is a significant problem because succession causes the habitat to become unsuitable for corncrakes

Acknowledgements

The RSPB has worked closely with a number of individuals and organisations during the year to help this bird. In particular, we would like to thank the numerous individual crofters and farmers who have contributed to corncrake conservation, and Natural England, SEERAD and SNH for their continued support of corncrake conservation. 

Last modified: 03 September 2007