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| Corncrake and chicks as depicted in John Gould's The Birds of Great Britain (1873) |
COULD summer next year mark the return to Yorkshire of calling Corncrakes? Up until the early 1900s, they were common on and around grassland in much of the county, but, following changes in farming practice and loss of habitat, their numbers plummeted such as there may now be only one two breeding pairs left. However, that could change following the recent release in hay meadows within the Lower Derwent Valley, at Wheldrake in the north of the county, of 148 captive-reared birds which are soon expected to migrate to Central Africa over autumn, then return next spring. Prior to their release, the captive-reared birds were, for 26 days, kept in pens with views of the stars in the night sky which, helped by Earth's magnetic fields, it is hoped might guide their migration journeys. The RSPB and the WWT were involved with a similar project in the Ouse Washes but, for reasons that are not known, decided to pull out. This new Yorkshire project is a joint venture between Natural England, National Nature Reserves and Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley. |
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| What adventures lie ahead? One of the captive-reared birds is released (photo: Natural England) The Wryneck says: Here's hoping that this project is a huge success. But it does prompt a question. The Corncrake is struggling all over Europe, so how were these eggs obtained? It is understood that Hebridean islands might have been the source, but clarity would be welcome. |
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