Boost for endangered Corncrake as number of birds on Canna soars

It’s the first time in many years that the conservation charity has conducted formalised corncrake monitoring on the island, but data collected by Bob Swann from the Highland Ringing Group in recent decades demonstrated a worrying trend with just one or two corncrakes recorded on the island over various years.

The growing population on the island is being put down to ‘high nature value farming practices’ that have been put in place to save the species that was once prevalent across the UK.

The population has been in long term decline, mainly because of intense agricultural methods and corncrakes have been identified as one of the 26 priority species in the trust’s Plan for Nature.

The trust is working crofters and farmers to increase the population on the island to 50 calling males, which would account for approximately six percent of the UK population.

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Geraldine MacKinnon manages five designated areas of farmland for corncrake with support from Tom Allen, the trust’s ranger on Canna.

They undertake farming practices to benefit biodiversity, which includes strategies to support breeding corncrakes.

That includes extensive mixed livestock grazing of the hill ground in summer, combined with no mowing of the grassland fields to provide areas of undisturbed cover around the home farm for nesting birds.

The Sanday crofters also reported high levels of corncrake activity on the crofts they manage and graze with native cattle.

Angus Murray, Canna Operations Manager for the National Trust for Scotland, said: “We undertake a very different and productive way of farming on Canna, which is vital for nature conservation. It supports a wide variety of species, but as one of our priorities, we are especially pleased to see the growth of our corncrake population.

“Nature conservation on Canna, and across the Trust, is a key focus. We care for 76,000 hectares of countryside in Scotland and with our Plan for Nature, we have a clear focus on where to concentrate our efforts to help nature flourish.”

Tom Allen said: “Canna Farm is a great example of prioritising both the production of high-quality livestock and creating a haven for wildlife and achieving success in both. By adapting our farming methods on Canna, we are supporting this species and its regeneration without making significant sacrifices to our other outputs.

“We’re really heartened by the success of corncrake on our farmland, and we hope this is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. However, we know this is an endangered species and their numbers are especially prone to fluctuations, so we will continue to closely monitor our numbers and do what we can to support corncrake habitats.”

Launched in 2024, the National Trust for Scotland’s Plan for Nature outlines the six habitats and 26 species it will prioritise for conservation over the coming decades.

Scotland’s largest conservation charity says it has special responsibility for these identified priorities and has a particular ability to make a positive impact on them. The habitats include mountain willow scrub, found at Ben Lawers and Mar Lodge Estate; sea cliffs and islands, such as the Treshnish Isles, St Kilda, and St Abb’s Head; wood pasture and parkland, like Drum Castle in Aberdeenshire; native pinewoods at Mar Lodge Estate; upland heathland at locations such as Glencoe, Torridon, and West Affric; and machair on Canna, Iona, and Sanday.