Corncrake population is on the rise – but future hangs in the balance

08/10/2011 10:10:40 New threat as Ministers prepare cuts to agri-environment scheme funding

October 2011: The population of one of Scotland's rarest birds has increased, however its future hangs in the balance as Scottish ministers consider massive cuts to agri-environment schemes that provide vital wildlife support payments to Scottish farmers and crofters.

Recent counts of corncrakes, an elusive farmland species, carried out by RSPB Scotland, reveal the population rose this year thanks to a 20-year partnership between conservationists, government and crofters.

The count of singing corncrakes, restricted in the UK almost exclusively to north and west Scotland, rose to 1,213, an increase of 45 on the previous year.

Already suffering from £10 million cut
But the wildlife conservation charity warns that the species' fortunes will dramatically reverse if the proposed cuts, outlined in the recent Scottish Spending Review, are approved.

The Spending Review singled out Scottish agri-environment schemes for major cuts, amounting to 22 per cent until 2015, an £11 million reduction over the next three years on top of a £10 million reduction already applied in 2010-11.

Corncrakes, once common across the farmed landscape in Scotland , suffered huge declines through the 20th century, reducing the population to just 400 singing males in 1993. Research conducted by RSPB Scotland identified intensive agricultural production, especially early mowing of hay meadows and grazing of fields early in the season, as the cause of the drastic declines.

These declines have been reversed in recent years following the introduction of a successful conservation scheme that maintains vital habitat by offering financial support to farmers and crofters to manage their land in a way that is sympathetic to corncrakes

Numbers have trebled since scheme started
Since the start of the scheme, the Scottish corncrake population has more than trebled, reaching a high this year. This is largely down to efforts of the crofters and farmers working closely with RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. Scottish Government agri-environment payments have allowed land-managers to care for hay meadows and field margins in a way that is sensitive to the species' needs while recognising the costs to the farmer of doing so.

Farmers David and Sarah Hobhouse of Balnahard on Colonsay, said: ‘Over the past 20 years or so, government agri-environment schemes have been the saving factor for agriculture on the island.

‘The payments have not only had a huge impact on target species, such as corncrake, but they have contributed massively to maintaining diverse agricultural activities.

'Conservation payments are our lifeline'
‘Without this support the cattle would have long gone, and the fencing and fields lost, to be replaced with a smaller work force, and less use of ferries and other local services. Island farming can no longer be sustained on a purely commercial basis, as we are too far from both markets and suppliers, and our associated extra costs are considerable. Conservation payments are our lifeline.'

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland said: ‘The steady increase in corncrake populations is one of Scotland 's great conservation successes and is directly attributable to the farmers and crofters who manage their land for the species and who rely on agri-environment schemes to do so.

‘The proposed cuts will seriously compromise farmers' ability to help farmland wildlife and the environment in future.'