Modest rise in corncrake numbers but miracle needed

It is hard not to cheer the news that a modest increase in the population of calling, male corncrakes was recorded last summer even if that small reversal was a consequence of climate change and last year’s exceptionally — for now at least — warm summer.

The Corncrake Project Annual Report shows 151 calling males were recorded, an increase of 8%, the first since 2014. Donegal and its islands held 90, significantly 59 on islands. Another 39 were recorded in Mayo, 20 in Connemara and a lonely two in Sligo.