islandgun Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 this male has been calling for the last few days and with only one thing on its mind allowed me to get close, see how quick this gets named JD ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undertree Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Corncrake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 As above, a Corncrake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Sorry only just tuned in. I would love to see a Corncrake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Never seen one in the flesh as it were. They look very much like a water rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Corncrake? No prizes for that one then the most iv'e seen at once were three males calling, this one was about 20m away from my back door I hope he finds a mate and brings off a brood without the local cats interfering. really distinctive call like the noise of someone running their fingers along a comb but louder and deeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumfelter Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Very lucky, never seen one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Never seen one in the flesh as it were. They look very much like a water rail. +1, although I've seen a water rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 (edited) Another species modern farming decimated, the conversion of late cut hay meadows to silage did for them very very quickly. Sat tight on nests and got chopped up. A colleague lives on one of the western Isles and he gets them in hos garden too, never seen one myself although I think there are one or two reintroduction projects on the go. Edited May 17, 2016 by scolopax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Seen several (and heard them) whilst fishing the Moy in Mayo, Eire about 20 years ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 (edited) I remember my one of my first summers helping the local keeper and watching 1 throu his rifle scope as he had the bino's, never quite realised back then i'd never see another 1. That was in sw scot prob almost 30 yrs ago Do u get any in N eng sort of grouse moor country? As still a lot of older fashioned hay meadows and good vermin control Edited May 17, 2016 by scotslad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 b###y corncrakes woke me up at 5 a.m going to have to increase my pesticide use and change to silage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 b###y corncrakes woke me up at 5 a.m going to have to increase my pesticide use and change to silage My morning are very similar, except it's cornflakes. I'd have a quite word with one of your sea eagle pals, perhaps the otters could get involved in an advisory capacity.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperGoose75 Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 (edited) Seen several (and heard them) whilst fishing the Moy in Mayo, Eire about 20 years ago! Would be a a very rare Sight and sound these days on the mainland with most of the Sightings and birds heard calling are on the islands of the coast, Most of the recordings are off the West and NW coast islands. Apparently though they are a slight increase in numbers this past couple of years with 156 calling males recorded in this NW county which is great newes. My father often told me that in his youth you could here Corncrakes everywhere when going to work in the morning or coming home from a dance in the summer time. I have only ever heard one calling and only ever seen a Corncrake which was in a taxidermist collection. I really must make a trip out to one of the islands as there is a very good chance of seeing and hearing them. Found this little clip that goes with what Scolopax has Said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNd5u75iekw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks2taH61mn8 Edited May 18, 2016 by SuperGoose75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggone Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 We've had one calling next to the house for about 10 days. The rspb are coming tonight to catch it to see if it's one of theirs. We're only a short distance from where they have been reintroducing them Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 My morning are very similar, except it's cornflakes. I'd have a quite word with one of your sea eagle pals, perhaps the otters could get involved in an advisory capacity.... Those cornflakes can be a bit noisy if not properly soaked, Hm Corncrake eating Eagles sounds like a conservationists nightmare a bit like a Natterjack toad eating Bittern, SuperGoose75 Ive spent a fair bit of time in the west and north of your beautiful country and it certainly fits the bill for Corncrakes Doggone cheers, it would be very interesting to see how the introduction works do you have traditionally farmed habitat in your area ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggone Posted May 18, 2016 Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 Those cornflakes can be a bit noisy if not properly soaked, Hm Corncrake eating Eagles sounds like a conservationists nightmare a bit like a Natterjack toad eating Bittern, SuperGoose75 Ive spent a fair bit of time in the west and north of your beautiful country and it certainly fits the bill for Corncrakes Doggone cheers, it would be very interesting to see how the introduction works do you have traditionally farmed habitat in your area ? I live just over the flood bank (dry side) of the nene washes where the reintroduction is taking place. The washes are mostly grass with plenty of reedy ditches which is where the corncrakes call from. My house is out in the middle of typical fen farmland, but I'm surrounded by 4 or 5 acres of permanent set aside which is never cut or driven on, so perfect nesting site. I believe they migrate in the winter to warmer climes, but they only live a couple of years so don't get much opportunity to establish a population if they don't manage to breed one year. We also have quite a badger population these days, and they are experts at hoovering up ground nesting birds Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted May 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2016 I live just over the flood bank (dry side) of the nene washes where the reintroduction is taking place. The washes are mostly grass with plenty of reedy ditches which is where the corncrakes call from. My house is out in the middle of typical fen farmland, but I'm surrounded by 4 or 5 acres of permanent set aside which is never cut or driven on, so perfect nesting site. I believe they migrate in the winter to warmer climes, but they only live a couple of years so don't get much opportunity to establish a population if they don't manage to breed one year. We also have quite a badger population these days, and they are experts at hoovering up ground nesting birds Andy I know your area as I visited there when I was at college, a brilliant place to live, I will keep an eye on the re-introduction with interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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