Practical Reserve Work (Give Corncrake a Home- Habitat Creation)
The Corncrake is a shy, secretive bird although its loud and district ‘crex crex’ (which can be heard up to 1km away) is one that many people will not have heard. It was once widespread throughout the UK & Ireland but sadly with drastic changes to the countryside and mechanisation in farming over the last century their numbers have plummeted, making them a red listed species.
The last official record for Northern Ireland was in 1997 on Rathlin Island. Due to this dramatic decline the RSPB’s project ‘Give Corncrake a Home’ has been working with farmers and landowners on Rathlin to create and improve their habitat for more than a decade. Corncrake have specific habitat requirement's they need early and late cover, at least 20cms in height and that has an open structure. This allows them to maintain cover when calling a mate and to raise young safely. Nettles where identified as the ideal plant, rhizomes are laid down along the edge of field boundaries and then covered in old silage bales to help them establish. These nettle corridors have helped attract the corncrake back to Rathlin but more rhizomes are needed.
We need your help to dig up and wash nettle rhizomes at Park Farm. Nettles at this site are located in a field adjacent to the farm yard. Currently nettles have died back, so no chance of being stung. Digging conditions at site are good, though a little exposed it has magnificent views of the north coast. Digging is still a challenging task and we will have a lunch break to refuel. A toilet is located on site but you will need to bring your own lunch. We will then be washing the nettles at the farm yard and storing them in ton bags ready for collection. Washing the nettle rhizomes is essential making them easily transported and avoids bringing unwanted seeds and invertebrates onto Rathlin.
As this work takes place outside in the winter months warm layers, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear are essential. All digging equipment needed will be provided including gloves but you can bring your own if you wish. The RSPB and our volunteers have been working hard to turn the fortunes of this species around, and it is really starting to pay off with five males heard calling in 2021 on the island. To build on this success we must continue to create large areas of Corncrake cover on Rathlin Island in an effort to attract greater numbers to breed. Volunteering with the RSPB is a great way to meet new like-minded people, learn more about nature, gain experience in conservation, and have lots of fun in the process!