Sparrow hawk male. Balloch, Loch Lomond National Park, and corncrake, North Uist. Outer Hebrides. PICTURES by JAMES DUNCAN
Corncrakes are a bit bigger than a blackbird and are dark yellow-brown, with dark barring on the back, reddish flanks and a grey belly. Males have a loud distinctive, ‘crex crex’ call, which carries up to 1km away. A shy species, Corncrakes are rarely seen and are best located by this call, which is mostly heard at night.
Corncrakes are generally found in tall vegetation (20cm) in hay and silage fields, rough pastures, and stands of herbaceous species such as Yellow flag iris and nettles. They are omnivorous, feeding mainly on insects, snails, slugs and worms but also on seeds.
Corncrakes are summer visitors, breeding in the Hebrides from April to September and migrating to Africa for the winter. A male’s territory can sometimes encompass several nests, creating local concentrations of breeding birds.
Corncrakes begin arriving back on their breeding grounds in April and May. Like most rails, they are secretive and are rarely seen in the open.
Males attract mates with their loud rasping song, calling most consistently for several hours from midnight onwards, from shortly after arrival until mid-July, when calling activity declines. They form a pair-bond with females during egg laying, at which time they sing less frequently at night.
