JULY 2009

Talk at Dunree on the Corncrakes

Concrake Coordinator for Donegal, Sandy Alcorn, will be at Fort Dunree on Friday 17th July at 8pm to conduct a fascinating talk on corncrakes with a walk in the local area to perhaps hear the bird, weather permitting.

The changes in farming practice that began in the early 1960s became almost universal by the mid 70s and these changes involved a move away from hay to heavily fertilised silage. This resulted in heavy crops which seriously inhibited the free movement of corncrakes. Also, the cutting season for silage starts in mid to late May and goes to late August. In other words, the silage meadows are being cut right through the nesting season. Add to that, the power and speed of modern harvesting equipment. It gave birds little change to escape and of course, there was wholesale destruction of nests and chicks.

According to Sandy Alcorn, that explains why the corncrake disappeared so quickly from the better farming areas of Ireland such as East Donegal. It also explains why there are still a few corncrakes surviving where intensive farming methods have not been practiced. This is mainly in areas of marginal land and small farms and on our islands.

Modern farming methods also impacted on the mix of plants that grow in our farmland. Fertilizers, weedkillers and intensive rotational grazing practices and reseeding have all combined to reduce dramatically the biodiversity of our grassland areas. This in turn impacted on the feeding habits of corncrakes. However, it was the physical destruction by silage machinery which was the biggest factor in the decline in our corncrake population.

Enough birds still survive to rebuild our population again at leas to the point that will ensure their continued existence. But it is a big challenge and there is no certainty of success.

In this area Sandy Alcorn assisted by Daniel Maloney and with the help of the Inishowen Wildlife Club and many volunteers are working diligently to record their presence and ensure the survival of this much threatened bird.

They have identified all the factors and constraints that need to be addressed but their efforts can only bear fruit if they are supported at every level from State funding down to the individual land owner in areas where corncrakes still nest.

They are certain that the subsidy scheme for farmers who manage their land in a corncrake friendly manner must continue. More importantly the farmers support must be fostered at all times.

"Without farmer and community support the corncrake is doomed. We know there is much good will towards this conservation effort. This good will needs to gain greater expression in the efforts of land owners. They must be more proactive in applying the conservation practices and not just do the minimum the subsidy scheme requires. Further, they must engage fully with the spirit of the conservation effort and not leave everything to the paid professionals." Sandy concluded.

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