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Our work here
18 May 2007
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Onziebust is a farmland and wetland reserve on the Orkney island of Egilsay.
The RSPB is managing the reserve for all its key species and habitats, especially its breeding corncrakes. Other important wildlife includes wintering and passage wildfowl, breeding waders, otters, and unusual invertebrates and flora. The reserve offers limited facilities for visitors.
Breaks for corncrakes
We are managing core corncrake habitat for up to 20 to 25 calling males. This involves a seven-year rotation of corncrake-friendly crops, such as hay or arable. We farm in a corncrake-friendly way by delaying harvesting, mowing or grazing until after 15 August each year - or later, if the birds are still present.
Meanwhile we are increasing the extent of early cover, and controlling any predators, such as crows, that may affect their breeding. We are also investigating attracting more corncrakes by using taped calls.
We are continuing to increase the area of corncrake habitat outside the reserve in order to support a further five to 10 corncrakes. This involves reviewing and renewing our existing agreements with landowners, and encouraging corncrake-friendly farming methods.
Showing the way
We are using the reserve to demonstrate corncrake management techniques to key decision makers and land users in Orkney and further afield. We will also show how these benefit a wider biodiversity. We will investigate the control of hedgehogs, which pose a threat to ground-nesting birds, pending the outcome of similar work in the Outer Hebrides.
Wetland biodiversity
We are managing the wetland component of the reserve, which includes two lochs, for its biodiversity. We aim to increase the number of breeding waders, including redshanks, lapwings and snipe, by 10%. We will do this by controlling water levels, and grazing wet grassland to improve its structure.
Finding out more
We are conducting ongoing research to identify and map all key species and habitats, including the great yellow bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus). We are monitoring breeding waders and wildfowl annually, and inviting specialists to survey key groups, both of birds and other species. This will extend to a whole island census of key species, such as corncrake and lapwing.