Cost of protecting corncrake defended as numbers fall

The official in charge of the State programme to save the corncrake from national extinction has defended the programme, claiming it is value for money.

Western Division Manger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Denis Strong, made his comment as figures show the battle to save the ‘iconic bird’ has this year suffered a set-back with the number of calling males declining from 183 to 168.

Between this year and last year, over €560,000 has been spent on the programme at a time when the population of calling males of the corncrake has decreased here by 27% going from 230 to 168.