The population of the corncrake in Ireland has increased by 20% in 2025 in comparison to last year’s figures.
The latest national survey, detailed by the Irish Times, also shows that breeding territories for the endangered bird have increased substantially.
The National Park and Wildlife Service has found that the corncrake is being found away from the traditional breeding areas in the north and west of Ireland, extending to Kerry, Cork and Waterford.
Ireland’s corncrake population has increased by 48 birds on 2024, a rise of a fifth, with the numbers of corncrake territories recorded in the core breeding areas of Mayo, Galway and Donegal have increased by 70% on 2018 baseline figures.
250 farmers and landowners nationwide are managing 1,500 hectares of land to conserve the corncrake.
