The corncrake found along the Atlantic seaboard is at its highest level in 25 years, Minister of State for Nature Malcolm Noonan has confirmed.
The Corncrake LIFE project has recorded 233 corncrake “territories”, which is up 45 per cent since 2018.
The project areas have recorded a 35% increase in birds since the initiative began in 2021.
However, the birds remain vulnerable and at risk, the project warns.
A 2024 survey from the National Parks and Wildlife Service shows an increase of in the national corncrake population by 15 birds, up 7% on 2023 figures.
The numbers of corncrake territories recorded in the core breeding areas of Donegal, Mayo and Galway have increased by 45% on 2018 baseline figures.
Almost 1,500 hectares of land is now being managed by 250 farmers and landowners to conserve the corncrake, and Noonan has paid tribute to the farmers, landowners and those involved in the NPWS-led corncrake conservation projects.
However, Connemara’s Omey island population of corncrakes has fallen from an estimated eight to four, and the birds appear to have left earlier this year, according to Feichin Mulkerrin of Claddaghduff.
Colder weather for this time of year may be a contributory factor, he suggests.
Corncrakes are “shy and secretive farmland birds”, the NPWS says, and their distinctive call is a feature in some parts of the north and west coasts of Ireland, but was once more widespread.
The bird is listed on the Red list of “conservation concern”, due to its decrease in Ireland and other European countries.
Since 2021, the Corncrake/Traonach LIFE Project, a five-year project funded through the EU LIFE Programme and led by the NPWS has been working on a number of measures to prevent the decline of the corncrake.
Data about the corncrake population is gathered on an annual basis by the NPWS.
