The increase in the CorncrakeCrex crexpopulation of the United Kingdom has slowed

Abstract

Capsule The UK Corncrake population increase has slowed, but has rapidly recovered from a large decline in 2013. Aims To provide an update on the population size and distribution of breeding Corncrakes in the UK, including the results of the most recent full national survey and annual monitoring of the core population. Methods A full survey of singing Corncrakes was undertaken in the UK and the Isle of Man in 2009, following the last full censuses in

The distribution and trophic ecology of an introduced, insular population of red-necked wallabies (Notamacropus rufogriseus)

“…Wallabies have been implicated in the decline of Hen harriers (Circus cyaneus L., 1766) and corncrakes (Crex crex L., 1758) in the IOM (Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture [DEFA] personal communication 2016.; Hayhow et al 2013;Wotton et al 2015). Indeed, the IOM hen harrier population has declined by 49% between 2004 and 2010 (Hayhow et al 2013).…”

“…However, hen harrier populations are also in decline elsewhere in the UK and Ireland due to illegal persecution and habitat destruction (Innes et al 2007;Hayhow et al 2013), and Manx populations are likely to be affected by habitat loss or food depletion (Sim et al 2001;Hayhow et al 2013;Manx BirdLife personal communication 2016). The population of corncrakes across Britain is generally very low but increasing locally, whilst population estimates for the IOM are regarded as unreliable (Wotton et al 2015). The interaction between wallabies and vulnerable ground-nesting birds on the IOM should be considered as a priority research area.…”

Seasonal changes in distribution and abundance of a local Corncrake population

“…Instead, the significant predictor of population size was the NDVI at the beginning of the previous breeding season, meaning that the most important factor is not what is going on now but what occurred in the previous year. Suitable vegetation in the course of the season enhances the chances for Corncrakes to breed successfully (Wotton et al 2015;Bellebaum et al 2016). Hence, higher reproductive output may result in more Corncrakes returning to the area one year afterwards.…”

Integrating advances in population and evolutionary ecology with conservation strategy through long‐term studies of red‐billed choughs

“…There is of high nature value, and potential conflicts with other conservationfocussed options. This included existing grassland management designed to benefit corncrake Crex crex, which has been highlighted as a successful yet necessarily ongoing agri-environment intervention (Green, 2020;Wotton et al, 2015). Reparameterisation of matrix models with such low values projected rapid population decline (λ = 0.87, Reid et al, 2004Reid et al, , 2011.…”

“…However, initial option design and uptake were impeded by constraints on financial incentives due to restrictive definitions of relatively high‐value ‘in‐bye’ grassland that did not apply to less favoured agricultural areas of high nature value, and potential conflicts with other conservation‐focussed options. This included existing grassland management designed to benefit corncrake Crex crex , which has been highlighted as a successful yet necessarily ongoing agri‐environment intervention (Green, 2020; Wotton et al., 2015).…”