Late last month we got very excited as the once familiar call of the corncrake was heard on Rathlin Island for the first time in more than 15 years.
The bird’s arrival was testament to the hard work of RSPB staff and volunteers, as well as the co-operation of local landowners, who have been working hard to create a suitable habitat for this shy and elusive summer visitor.
Rathlin Island is directly on the flight path for birds returning to breed on the islands of Islay, Colonsay and Oransay to the north, and to hear there was a calling bird on the island was just fantastic news. The longer he stayed the more likely it was that we could have breeding corncrake on Rathlin once again.
Unfortunately the excitement was short lived. On 1 June, nine days after the bird was first heard, a private-hire helicopter landed in an uncropped hayfield where the corncrake had been calling from. Although the helicopter was immediately asked to leave by RSPB staff, it’s thought the level of disturbance caused the corncrake to leave the area.
With permission from NIEA, we employed a calling system at the site last week to see if the bird would call back to mark his territory but sadly his distinctive crex-crex call was not heard.
It is common for male corncrake to go quiet for around a week if they have been successful in attracting a mate. However that time has now passed and there is no sign of the bird.
However, we're still hopeful that he, and other birds, will return in the future.
The disturbance caused by the helicopter was very disappointing for everyone involved in the corncrake recovery project and we would appeal to anyone visiting the island, especially during breeding season, to be mindful of the birds and wildlife which rely on its habitats.
Since 2010 volunteers have dedicated more than 1,500 hours to the Giving a Corncrake a Home project on Rathlin by carrying out work like bramble clearance and collecting nettle roots to plant on the island to provide breeding habitat. RSPB is committed to continuing with this work to help bring this threatened species back to Northern Ireland.