The corncrake is an elusive bird that spends a lot of its time hiding in meadows. These birds travel from Africa to Scotland between April and September. Because of their shy nature, you’re far more likely to hear their distinctive raspy call than ever see them!

However, the corncrake is critically endangered in western Europe, with the population plummeting in recent decades due to intensive farming practices. Once found across Scotland, they can now be only found in certain parts of the west and north of the country.

The way we use our land is one of the biggest threats to our native mammals and birds, but nature-friendly farming promises an alternative to intensive methods that allows birds like the corncrake to thrive and return to our farmland. ????