The Top Ten in Hebridean Wildlife!

Corncrake

The Outer Hebrides is the last major stronghold of the elusive corncrake.

With its beautiful and distinctive calling and pretty feather plumage, many keen bird watchers and nature lovers the world over dream of sighting a corncrake.

On mainland UK, the corncrake's natural habitat is fast decreasing in area, with industry and intensive farming methods driving the corncrakes away. The Outer Hebrides has approximately two thirds of the UK corncrake population.

In the Hebrides, however, the corncrake is still fairly common and can be heard from mid April until early August: Scottish Natural Heritage work to protect their preferred environment in the Hebrides as much as possible.

The corncrake can be found throughout the islands but is most populous in the Southern Isles of Uists and Barra. It is difficult to describe its unique song: it is unlike any bird call and is both a spooky and soothing sound, especially when heard at night. Birds are most easily seen during May and early June before the vegetation grows up.