Corncrake (Crex crex) Traonach
Corncrake Updates 2009
Hear and See a Corncrake
                
Corncrakes in Mayo Tim Gordon (October 2008)
The elusive Corncrake can be heard, although only rarely seen, calling from late April until early August, and more especially from mid May to early July, most often at night (between midnight and 3 am), although also during the day. Sometimes one may be seen breaking cover or perched on a rise to call.  They fly low and fast over a meadow, legs trailing or outstretched before disappearing on landing in the long grass.

There are two places you are likely to hear them in Mayo:

The first is on the Mullet peninsula, especially Carne Hill (near Erris FC football pitch), around Termoncarragh Lake (beside the graveyard and over the hill towards the ruin of Glebe House, where BWI own several meadows) and at the southern tip in and around the villages of Fallmore and Surgeview.

The second place you are likely to hear them is in the southwest Mayo coast area, west of Louisburgh, near Roonagh Quay (at the road junction near the post office at Aghany and at the Accony crossroads, 1km east of Aghany).  Park near the pier and walk back up the road 100-200 metres.

In 2008, 20 calling (male) Corncrakes were found on the Mullet and a further six in the area near Roonagh.




Corncrake Click here to hear the sound of a Corncrake
Corncrake (Lars Soerink)

Read 2008 Corncrake Updates

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