Norfolk reintroduction raises hope for endangered corncrake

The “crex crex” name of the corncrake was as soon as a well-recognized sound within the British countryside.

But habitat loss attributable to trendy farming strategies pushed the fowl to the brink of extinction.

Now there are hopes the corncrake can stage a comeback in England, after being reintroduced to the fenlands of Norfolk.

One conservationist mentioned it was a “dream come true” to listen to a minimum of 9 calling males this yr, up from solely three in 2021.

Globally the fowl’s inhabitants is threatened in elements of its vary throughout Europe and Asia. But within the UK it’s on the so-called red-list as a species of most concern.

Aside from this one tiny inhabitants in England that scientists try to safe, the one different corncrakes in Britain are discovered on the Scottish isles.

Since 2021, 100 corncrakes have been bred in captivity and launched annually in a bid to re-establish them within the wild on the flood plains of the River Ouse – dwelling to 1000’s of untamed birds.

The name of the corncrake is a “lovely noise to hear out in the washes,” says Emilie Fox-Teece of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Welney, Norfolk.

“The fact that we’re able to help boost and support the population in this way to try and establish a sustainable population is very important,” she says.

The birds that are released each year have big challenges ahead. They spend the summer feeding then migrate to Africa in the autumn, with only a small number making it back home the following spring to breed.

Returning males are located by their calls and counted, with numbers slowly growing from three males in 2021 to at least nine in 2024, suggesting a population of at least double that, once the quieter females are factored in.

Chrissie Kelly, the head of species management at the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, a partner in the project, says this is the only known corncrake population in England.

“There is cautious optimism that we can build on those numbers,” she says. “It’s a sound we should be hearing in our countryside again.”

It is hoped the inhabitants will quickly be large enough to outlive naturally with out the necessity to launch birds bred in captivity.

The corncrake was as soon as widespread throughout Britain, arriving from Africa every spring.

It was usually heard at evening, holding folks awake with its piercing name, very like the sound of wooden being drawn throughout the enamel of a comb.

However, trendy farming strategies, akin to slicing meadows early and thru mechanical means, led to the corncrake’s decline.

The Scottish inhabitants, restricted to the western and northern islands, was final yr estimated to have included about 900 calling males.