A good year for corncrakes

2011 looks like it could be a good year for breeding corncrakes in Orkney, with numbers up on last year’s figures.

This year, the birds are widely distributed around Orkney; Papay  with 5, Westray 4, Sanday 2, Egilsay 2, Rousay 1, Shapinsay 1, West Mainland 2, East Mainland 2, South Ronaldsay 2. No corncrakes have yet been found during surveys on Hoy, South Walls, Flotta, North Ronaldsay, Eday or Stronsay.

Most nights, corncrakes call from late evening through to early morning.

RSPB corncrake initiative officer Mara Nydegger said: “If you do hear a corncrake, even if it is one I know about, please let me know the date, time and location.”

She can be contacted on 852029, or via e-mail: mara.nydegger@rspb.org.uk