Project to re-establish corncrake in Yorkshire

The chicks will be released in the Lower Derwent Valley

A project hopes to re-establish the corncrake in Yorkshire.

The scheme is the first attempt at re-establishment in the area and is being led by the Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group.

A brood of chicks are being reared for release in September at the Lower Derwent Valley Nature Reserve.

Mike Jackson, the chairman of the group, said it was a "symbolic and ecological milestone".

Corncrakes are native to the UK but habitat loss caused by modern farming methods pushed the bird to the brink of extinction.

The birds are related to moorhens, coots and water rails, but they live on dry land. Corncrakes are slightly bigger than blackbirds and have a rasping call. They breed in Europe and migrate to Africa during the winter.

The brood of chicks arrived for rearing at the Lower Derwent Valley Nature Reserve in May and the birds are expected to be released once their rearing is complete in early September.

Mike Jackson, the chairman of Friends of Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group, said: "The return of the corncrake marks a symbolic and ecological milestone for the Lower Derwent Valley.

"It is not just about one bird, it's about restoring an ecosystem that supports a wide array of species."

Work to re-establish a sustainable corncrake population will also involve restoration of hay meadows and tailored breeding habitats. The conservation team said they were working with local landowners to ensure the long-term viability of the species.

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