CORNCRAKE UPDATE – 5 July 2008 - from Mayo Birdwatch
Although some may be expected to be heard right up until August, by and large the Corncrakes go quiet from mid July, so if you want to hear one, its time to go out and listen. The Mullet peninsula remains the local hotspot this year, particularly around Carne Hill (near Erris FC football pitch), where four are still being heard, and Termoncarragh, where one calling close to the road opposite the graveyard is providing great views and opportunities for recording.
The Corncrake census ends on July 10th, so any reports of Corncrakes at new locations are especially welcome before then. The count in the West is now up to 42 calling birds, a substantial increase on last year’s 37, and a real indication that they are taking a decisive step away from extinction locally. Of these, 20 are in Erris, with 11 in Connemara, 6 in South Mayo, 4 in Sligo and one counted in central Mayo.
There are still a few reports or sites to check out, including one at Aughrus Head (just north of the pier bar), South Sligo, within a mile of where one was heard at Ardogelly townland, Templeboy, earlier in the summer. If confirmed, this would be number 43. Another report from Sligo, this time on the slopes of Knocknarea (in a meadow near Rathcarrick Wood), a few miles south of Coney Island, is also yet to be checked out.
The break in the weather has made it difficult to locate new birds but slowed down the mowing, which is a boon. Nevertheless, eight acres were cut, Corncrake-friendly, at Glebe on the Mullet last week. There was no sign of Corncrakes during the mowing, and with one back calling in fields to the north in the last week, there’s every indication they have hatched and moved out of this area before it was cut.
As ever, please keep the reports coming, to 095 44941 or at timogordon@hotmail.com
Check out: http://www.birdwatchmayo.org/ for all the latest information on birds in Mayo.
