Corncrake numbers up.......

I haven't been out to check to be honest, it's been a quiet spring / summer for me.

As of now Donegal corncrake down 22% and West Connaught down 17%. Mullet peninsula only down 2 calling males (37 to 35).

V_Moth wrote: »

That is horrendous. Another couple of years and the Irish population is finished.

In 2012 (terrible summer) the numbers were only 129-133 calling males. Numbers in 2013 were around 180 and in 2014 were 230. So numbers are back to 2013 levels. The decline is due to probably the terrible Spring weather. A lot of sub-saharan migrants had trouble getting back. Islands worse hit. My patch on the Mullet peninsula has remained stable at 35 calling males, while 37 last year.

The decline more to weather than habitat. On most of the Islands the habitat is much the same as last year, but decline have been big compared to mainland.

I didn't get any calling males so very disappointed, but male calling in farm beside so likely hens nesting on farm. Neighboring farm's habitat for corncrake has declined in last few years so that's a major concern.

V_Moth wrote: »

Thanks for the more detailed explanation Capercailie. Admittedly, I misread the last line as reading "only two males on the Mullet" rather than 37 down to 35.

Yeah, having the entire population now concentrated at a handful of sites makes that much more vulnerable to poor weather, predators, loss of habitat etc.

Luckily no mink/hedgehogs near me, but the place is rank with foxes. When you remove one fox another takes it's place. A couple of farmers in the NPWS Corncrake farm plan, which helps with habitat. A couple of bad summers could eradicate them no doubt. A succession of bad summers eradicated a once vibrant Shannon Callows population.