The State has recorded a huge surge in the numbers of corncrakes in Ireland for the second year running.

The battle to save the corncrake from national extinction is being won — but at a price, figures show.

WHEN, as children, my pals and I roamed the bogs, river banks and lake shores of Tipperary, Mayo and Donegal, we regularly came upon curlews’ nests and I’m afraid we may have sometimes filched an egg or two for our collections.

YOUR Page One article (August 27) nearly took my breath away, regarding the cost to the taxpayer of one corncrake, together with a photo of the bird.

A BIRD in the hand is worth... €382,000 actually.

BIRDWATCH Ireland has launched a fundraiser to save Ireland’s dwindling curlew population, after a survey carried out by UCC researchers showed its population has declined by 80% since the 1970s.

A MAJOR effort to save the rare corncrake bird has begun with Birdwatch Ireland carrying out a €250,000 project to save the threatened species in four areas of the country.

The ghettoblaster is playing a key role in helping preserve a rare bird’s presence on Irish soil.