Isle of Skye Corncrake Survey 2021

Corncrakes on Skye 2021

25th May 2021

As the days stretch and get warmer (here’s hoping!), we should also hear the familiar sound of our corncrakes. The unmistakable ‘Crex Crex’ call is the male corncrake looking for a mate. They prefer to stay hidden in tall vegetation and you may only hear him rather than see him. You’re most likely to find them in crofting areas andfarm land as they nest on in silage and hay meadows.

If you hear or see a corncrake please contact me or Skye Birds, with the date, time and locationthat you heard or saw it. If you can get a recording on your phone all the better! All reports from Skye Birds are very helpful with the summer survey which we carry out across the corncrake’s Scottish range.

These birds are extremely rare and vulnerable and it is important that you don’t disturb or approach them. Best way is to keep out of the meadows and stay on the roads. Good luck!

If you would like to know more about the work RSPB is doing on Skye for corncrakes please get in touch.

Thanks and have a great summer!

Shelagh

RSPB Corncrake Project Officer, Isle of Skye

07771545409 or shelagh.parlane@rspb.org.uk

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean