A summary of the European Action plan for the Corncrake Crex crex.

Abstract

The 1994/1995 drafted (CROCKFORD et al. 1995) and recently published European Action Plan for the Corncrake Crex crex (HEREDIA et al. 1996) is summarised. The Corncrake is a globally threatened species undergoing a long term decline in most of its range, though it still breeds in 34 European countries. It is a dispersed species of primarily agricultural habitats and its decline, due to reduced breeding success, has been caused by technology and policies which have encouraged the intensification of grass-based agriculture associated mainly with hay and silage production for cattle. Prevention of its extinction in the medium to long term depends on securing international and national policies which promote either the maintenance of traditional agricultural systems which currently suit Corncrakes (especially in the central and east European countries) or the modification of more intensive systems, through support for corncrake-friendly management techniques. When rural policies lead to healthy Corncrake populations, there will be less need for protected areas and other action such as conservation management payments to farmers which require funding from conservation budgets. In the meantime corncrake conservation programmes, like those funded jointly by EU LIFE and the governments of the UK, France, Ireland and Belgium and undertaken by the BirdLife partners, are urgently needed to prevent the extinction of Corncrakes in many countries. A European Corncrake survey is urgently needed to establish the size of the European Corncrake population and the location of key concentrations of the species. A European monitoring strategy needs to be established to determine the impact of threats and conservation actions on the Corncrakes. More research is needed to define the nature of threats to the Corncrake (including outside the breeding season), to determine the habitat requirements of the Corncrake across its breeding range and to develop management prescriptions to achieve these requirements. The likelihood of success of efforts to save the Corncrake depends on raising a high level of public awareness, sympathy and commitment to the Corncrake, especially among the decision makers and the farmers whose actions will most directly affect. the fate of this species. Conservationists across Europe must unite in a collaborative effort to define the requirements of the Corncrake and convince decision-makers and land-managers to put into practice the necessary prescriptions for Corncrakes, while maintaining and enhancing the socioeconomic status of rural communities.