|
2007 proved to be an excellent year for Corncrakes on the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Argyll. Following three night-time visits using standard methodology to all areas of the island in June, a total of 389 calling males was recorded, 23% up on the total of 315 birds in 2006. Tiree now holds well over a quarter of all Corncrakes in the UK and together with the neighbouring Argyll islands of Coll, Colonsay, Oronsay, Islay and Iona represents a key stronghold for the species.
The steady rise in numbers recorded on Tiree, since a low point of 97 males on the island in 1992, is down to extensive take-up of agri-environment schemes by the island’s crofters and farmers. Schemes such as the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme run by SEERAD, the Special Protection Area (SPA) scheme run by SNH and the Corncrake Initiative (CEI) run jointly by RSPB, SNH and the Scottish Crofting Foundation, provide financial incentives for crofters and farmers to cut their silage and hay-fields late (after 1st August) and in a Corncrake-friendly manner i.e. from the inside to the outside of the fields allowing birds to escape unharmed to the field margins. This has allowed increasing numbers of birds to breed successfully, and coupled with the development of early cover areas to provide calling locations for male birds when they return in late April/early May, has helped provide the birds with ideal conditions in which to thrive on the island.
With Corncrakes facing increasing pressure further east in their world range from changes in agricultural practices, it is good to know that the population on the Argyll Islands and particularly that on Tiree, is currently doing so well. Hopefully, with these larger numbers around, it may prove possible in the future to entice some birds back into suitable habitat within their former range in mainland Argyll. |
