What is the Nene Washes Corncrake Project?
Studies during the 1990’s showed a severe decline in the breeding population of Corncrakes in the Bristish Isle with nearly the whole breeding population restricted to the islands on the north and west coast of Scotland. As a result of this study the RSPB, English Nature (now Natural England) and the Zoological Society of London got together to collaborate in a project to restore the corncrake as a breeding species once again in lowland England. The Site chosen by the RSPB for release of this bird is the Nene Washes, due to its size and habitat suitability. Due to our existing captive bred colony the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust became involved with the project, allowing a wider gene pool to be introduced into the release birds. The ultimate success of this project is still very much in the balance; but singing males were recorded in both 2005 and 2006 and young birds were reared in the wild both years – auguring well for the future.
