Fully protected (including from shooting and disturbance; nest-sites, eggs and young) under the nature conservation laws of all nine counties.

Important concentrations: Lower Austria, Styria and Vorarlberg.

The first national Corncrake survey and the first conservation measures taken were in 1994; in two areas of eastern Austria payments were made to farmers for Corncrake-friendly mowing.

One quantitative study (unpublished) was undertaken in 1990-1991 to describe the calling habitats of Corncrakes on a military training area.

Belarus

Removed from the list of quarry species in winter 1994. Inclusion in the list of protected animals anticipated winter 1994/95.

Important concentrations: widespread.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Belgium

Important concentrations: Fagne-Famenne.

A two-year programme, partly financed by the EU LIFE programme began in 1995. It entails the acquisition and management of land as well as (Wallonia only) population monitoring and public awareness.

Wallonia:

Full species protection under the Nature Conservation Law (Arreté du Gouvernement wallon of 14 July 1994) and inclusion on the Red List of this law.

RNOB manages over 80 ha of Corncrake habitat in Fagne and Famenne as nature reserves. Similar aquisition programmes are envisaged by the government.

An annual magazine has been produced by P. Ryelandt to maintain contact between those concerned about Corncrakes, including farmers, foresters, etc.

Flanders:

Full species protection under the 1991 hunting decree.

Corncrakes are now breeding in new nature reserves established primarily for breeding waders and wintering geese.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Important concentrations: Livanjsko Polje.

Between 1992 and 1996 Livanjsko Polje has been affected by war. If and when information becomes available, it will be necessary to review the species status and that of the site, and take action as required.

Bulgaria

The species has been legally protected since 1962. The fine for any action against the species (trapping, killing, injuring, collecting eggs, chicks, etc.) was increased to 30,000 leva (US$500) per specimen in 1995, from the fine initially imposed by a special Act 342 of the Ministry of the Environment in 1986. Included as Endangered in the national Red Data Book (Boev 1985).

Important concentrations: Sofia and Burgas regions, along the Black Sea coast, Smoljan region, the Balkans range (mainly 800-1,400 m), Dobrudja and Trakia plain.

The Ministry of Environment is funding a BSPB project to conserve wet meadows in north-west Bulgaria.

Four protected areas (Chokliovo Marsh, Aldomirovtzi and Dolni Bogrov, Dolni Bogrov and Vrachanski Balkan National Park) have been designated in core Corncrake areas and proposals have been made for further such designations.

Habitat preferences were studied during 1992-1994.

Croatia

Fully protected (adults, young, eggs, habitat, against disturbance) in 1981 by a special act based on the Nature Conservation Law.

Important concentrations: alluvial wetlands of the Sava river (including Turopolje, Lonjsko, Mokro, Jelas Polje), Drava and Danube floodplains and north-east of Karlovac along the Kupa river.

About 50,000 ha of Lonjsko Polje and Mokro Polje is protected as a Nature Park.

Czech Republic

Fully protected by the Nature and Countryside Conservation Law No. 114/1992 and the Appendix to Law No. 395/1992.

Important concentrations: Sumava, Krkonose, Jeseniky, Beskydy.

Most of the main Corncrake populations are located in National Parks and Protected Landscape Areas.

A detailed study on Corncrake habitat use is underway, involving vegetation analysis and intensive ringing and trapping, in abandoned meadows in the Sumava mountains.

Denmark

Protected from shooting and trapping since at least 1967. Included in the Red Data Book as Endangered (Skov-og Naturstyrelsen 1991).

Important concentrations: Northern Jutland (Bornholm, Sealand) but the species no longer regularly breeds in Denmark.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas were introduced in the mid-1980s with EU subsidies.

In 1994 a conservation plan was introduced for the RyD/Store Vildmose area in Northern Jutland (the last regular breeding site for Corncrakes, although irregular since 1984); the local authorities make agreements with the farmers for Corncrake-friendly management. Result: a male was heard singing on only one night.

The 1992 Nature Protection Act revision provides better protection of meadows and their buffer zones to a minimum of 2,500 m² in area.

Most of the former important Corncrake localities have some form of national protection (e.g. under the 1992 Nature Protection Act), and Varde Cdal in south-west Jutland is an SPA, but due to lack of appropriate management this protection has been insufficient to maintain the Corncrake populations.

Estonia

No special protection, but not a quarry species. Protected only in nature conservation areas.

Important concentrations: widespread.

Mowing has been delayed in Matsulu Nature Reserve.

The Corncrake was the Estonian Bird of the Year in 1995: special attention was paid to clarifying habitat preferences, through the gathering of information on population size in different habitats, especially agricultural sites; widespread media promotion of Corncrakes will emphasise how farmers can help Corncrakes to survive.

Finland

Protected since 1962, classified as Vulnerable.

Important concentrations: south-east Finland, especially southern Karelia, and the south coast.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

France

Fully protected through the 1976 Nature Protection Law against shooting, capture, transport, use and persecution, including egg-collecting. Listed in the French Red Data Book as Vulnerable.

Important concentrations: Basses Vallées Angevines (BVA), Loire valley, Charente valley, Saone valley and Carentan marshes in Normandy.

Although 80% of the national Corncrake population is concentrated in 10 IBAs, none of these sites has any legal protection.

Voluntary schemes providing payments to farmers for Corncrake management were introduced in 1993 when 6 million francs was spent on management over c.6,000 ha (Marais de Carentan 3,100 ha, BVA 1,975 ha, Val de Soane 480 ha, Val de Meuse 400 ha) benefiting 10-20% of the national Corncrake population. The schemes are funded through the following programmes:

Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Six ESAs have been established covering all the important concentrations mentioned above, except the Charente valley, plus VallJe de l'Oise and VallJe de la Meuse. Mowing is delayed (although sometimes not late enough for Corncrakes) and fertilization regulated. Participation of farmers is variable, e.g. in the Saone valley as much as one third of the habitat, but in the Meuse valley less than 10%.

EU ACNAT/LIFE. In four areas B Marais de Carentan, BVA, Val de Saone and VallJes du Nord-Est de la France (Meuse, Oise, Aisne, Chiers).

In 1994 a LIFE Nature programme was started to cover c.400 ha more through pilot programmes in five important areas in Val de Charente, Val de Loire, Val de Saone and Val de Seine.

Through the CAP mechanism, beef grazed at less than 1.4 livestock units/ha receive a premium payment of 300 francs/ha.

The planting of poplars has been regulated in BVA.

About 600 ha of land has now been acquired and is managed as nature reserves for Corncrakes, including 180 ha by the Federation Departmentale de Chasseurs du Maine et Loire, 180 ha by Conservatoire RJgional Rhone-Alpes, 200 ha by LPO and 70 ha by the Conservatoire des Sites Bourguignons.

Experiment on Corncrake-friendly mowing (centre-out) in Saone valley (1994, 1995).

Research on Corncrake habitat use has been undertaken (relationship between mowing dates and quality of hay and Corncrake numbers); this has included funding from the EU LIFE programme (relationship between mowing dates and site fidelity, densities and population trends).

EU LIFE-funded project with the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Germany

Fully protected by the Nature Protection Law.

Important concentrations: Unteres Odertal in Brandenburg, Murnauer Moos and vicinity in Bayern, and north-west Niedersachsen.

In a very few local areas, mowing has been stopped around the calling sites (NGOs and nature reserves).

In Brandenburg Biosphere Reserves, National Parks and Landscape Parks (mainly in the Oder and Elbe valleys) farmers are paid 550 DM/ha by the state authority to cut only small areas at a time (maximum 6 ha), and not more than 25% before 15 June, 50% before 30 June and 75% before 15 August. Together with four other similar programmes, the state of Brandenburg paid 18 million DM in 1994 for bird-friendly management of 50,000 ha of grassland.

The two most important Corncrake areas have statutory protection, though not specifically for Corncrakes: Untere Oder National Park and Murnauer Moos Naturschutzgebiet nature protection area.

In the Naturschutzgebiet "Lange Rhön" (17 calling males in 1993) 5-10% of management agreements from the "Bayerisches Naturschutzförderprogramme" delay mowing until 1 August (prior to 1992 the date was only 10 July). Also since 1992, farmers have voluntarily been leaving 5-10% of their meadows uncut under the "fallow-strip-concept". In November 1994 a new guideline for management agreements was introduced by the Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment providing much better possibilities for Corncrake management.

Radio-tracking studies in 1991 on habitat use and breeding biology.

Scientists from Germany and Poland are undertaking an intensive study during 1992-1994 including fieldwork in north-east Poland and also Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Russia. Investigations cover: habitat use, mating system, breeding biology, vegetation structure, availability of food, feeding ecology, predation, biometry, migration, individuality of calls, calling groups and determination of sex and age. Methods include trapping (700 birds so far), radio-tracking, counts of calling males, attracting migrating birds using tape-recorders, measurements of vegetation structure and food availability, DNA-fingerprinting and analysis of faeces. Six birds are being kept in captivity and in 1994 the first successful captive breeding occurred.

Hungary

Strictly protected since 1988.

Important concentrations: Bodrogkoz, Hansag, Bodva-volgy.

A new protected area has been designated.

During 1990-1993, 100,000 HUF was spent on Corncrake conservation measures and a further 100,000 HUF on population surveys.

Republic of Ireland

Fully protected, being listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act 1976. Listed in the Irish Red Data Book as Endangered (Whilde 1993).

Important concentrations: Shannon Callows, northern Donegal and Mayo.

Introduction of Rural Environment Protection Schemes (ESA equivalent) from 1994, including specific management prescriptions (delayed and centre-out mowing, habitat creation measures) on Natural Heritage Areas (statutory sites) important for Corncrakes.

National Parks and Wildlife Service/IWC voluntary payment schemes to farmers for Corncrake management began in 1992 in northern Donegal and were extended to the Shannon and Moy.

IWC is acquiring land on the Shannon Callows (21ha so far).

Radio-tracking studies have been undertaken by IWC/RSPB in the Shannon Callows during 1992-1994.

EU LIFE-funded project with France and the United Kingdom.

Italy

Fully protected (from hunting, and taking and destruction of nests, eggs and chicks) under the National Law on Fauna Protection and Shooting Regulation (L. 157/92). The species was removed from the quarry list in 1978 prior to which it was mainly shot in August, during migration.

Important concentrations: province of Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Veneto region especially Vicenza and Treviso provinces.

The Osservatorio Faunistico for the province of Udine commissioned a preliminary report on the species in 1994. A researcher was funded to assist with the Italian national survey in 1995. LIPU is continuing survey work in other provinces in 1996.

Latvia

Fully protected since 1980 (including eggs, young and nests) by the regulation on particularly protected nature objects (territories and species). Included in the Latvian Red Data Book in category 2, "declining" (Andrusaltis et al. 1985). (Proposed to be "vulnerable with continuing declines": Lipsbergs et al. 1990.)

Important concentrations: widespread.

A small proportion of the population breeds in existing and proposed protected areas.

Surveys were carried out in some areas in 1989-1994 to determine numbers, trends, habitat selection and important sites for protection.

Public awareness was raised in 1995, the European Nature Conservation Year, by depicting the Corncrake on postage stamps and by an associated information booklet.

Liechtenstein

Fully protected. Included in the Red Data Book as Endangered.

Important concentrations: Ruggeller Riet.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Lithuania

Fully protected by the regulation on particularly protected nature objects. Included in the 1990 Red Data Book as an indeterminate, insufficiently studied species (fourth category).

Important concentrations: Nemunas valley and delta, Jura valley, central Lithuanian plain, Katra valley.

In 1992-1993 surveys were carried out in about half of the administrative districts.

In 1995 the first popular publication on Corncrake protection was produced.

Luxembourg

Fully protected by the National Bird Protection Law (1928). Listed in the National Red Data Book in Category 2.1, "endangered with extinction" (Weiss 1992).

Important concentrations: near Fentage, Erpeldange/Bous and Pissange.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Republic of Moldova

Protected, i.e. shooting is banned. Not included in the national Red Data Book.

Important concentrations: north-west, east and south-west Moldova, especially the middle Prut valley.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas have been established in the middle Prut valley.

The state has established the following reserves: Padurea Domneasca (seven males), Plaiul Fagilui (five males), Codrii (three males) and Prurul de Jos (two males).

Netherlands

Fully protected under the Bird Act 1936 (from shooting, damage to eggs and young, deliberate disturbance). Included in the Red Data Book as endangered and vulnerable (Osieck & Hustings 1994).

Important concentrations: Rhine-Waal-Yssel river forelands and arable land in north-east Groningen province (although the latter is declining sharply).

Thirteen IBAs regularly hold 1-5 singing males, between them accounting for 32% of the national breeding population (23% in the five best sites) (Van den Tempel & Osieck 1994). Only two of them (Oostvaardersplassen, Brabantse Biesbosch) are designated SPAs, holding 2% of the population. All 13 IBAs are at least partly protected by national law and/or owned by nature protection organisations. Although none are managed specifically for Corncrakes, managers usually take care when a singing male is present.

Some small reserves have been established for Corncrakes, e.g. in the early 1960s the Dutch State Forestry bought an area in the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch (no longer managed specifically for Corncrakes, but it had on average five singing males in 1989-1991) and in the late 1970s and early 1980s it acquired land with singing Corncrakes in the Rhine area close to the German border (Ooypolders).

During 1968 to 1986 over 500 birds were ringed, and research was undertaken on habitat use, territorial behaviour and movements (van den Bergh 1991).

During 1984-1987 an extensive study was made of numbers, distribution and habitat selection in the agricultural north-eastern part of Groningen province (Voslamber 1989). Surveys continued to 1992 and were carried out again in 1995 (K. Koffijberg pers. comm.)

Norway

Under the 1981 Species Protection Act as revised in 1993 Corncrakes are fully protected from shooting, nest-destruction and disturbance, and adults, nests, eggs and young receive special protection during the breeding season. Included in the Norwegian Red List of vertebrates (Christensen & Eldoy 1988) and the Norwegian Red List (DN rapport 1992-6).

Important concentrations: Co. Rogaland, Mrre and Romsdal, Akershus and Buskerud.

Negligible numbers occur in protected areas.

A national survey of Corncrakes was carried out in 1995, in which 70 calling males were found

A brochure promoting corncrake-friendly farming practices was widely distributed in 1995.

Poland

Fully protected under the Species Protection Act. Not listed in the Red Data Book for birds.

Important concentrations: Narew valley, Biebrza valley, Przemysl and Krosno areas and perhaps the foothills of the Bieszczady mountains.

Most of the Biebrza valley was declared a National Park in 1993.

German and Polish scientists are undertaking a major investigation on Corncrakes during 1992-1994. Study sites include the Narew and Biebrza valleys. In 1994 c.200 ha of meadows were rented as a study area where early mowing was avoided.

Romania

Not protected under the 1973 nature protection law (9/1973). Included in the new Red Data Book published in 1995.

Important concentrations: widespread.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Russia

A quarry species, and not protected under any special laws. Will be included in the Appendix of the Russian Red Data Book as a species requiring special control, but not special protection.

Important concentrations: widespread.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes although the species is protected within strict nature reserves (Zapovedniks) along with other bird species.

In 1994 censuses were made in areas where there had been previous counts of Corncrakes. In addition, surveys carried out in three river valleys (Oka, Moskva and Msta) showed that Corncrake densities were high enough for the valleys to qualify as IBAs.

Slovakia

Protected since 1 January 1995 (against trapping, and taking of eggs or young) by the Law of the Slovak Parliament no. 287/94 on the conservation of nature and landscape. A special notice on the conservation of animals, connected to this general law, is currently in preparation and will include protection of nests, habitats and designation of special reserves for the Corncrake. Listed as Vulnerable in the former Czechoslovakian Red Data Book and also probably in the new Red Bird List for Slovakia (in preparation).

Important concentrations: widespread.

During the last decade no special measures on research or protection of the Corncrake have been undertaken.

The state nature conservation authorities have legal powers to restrict activities affecting the Corncrake, but these have not been implemented due to a lack of the funds necessary for Corncrake-friendly management.

A management plan is being prepared for meadows in the Z<horie area.

A Group for the Protection of the Corncrake is currently being established by the Slovak Agency of Environment (responsible to the Ministry of Environment).

Slovenia

Fully protected (from hunting, and destruction of nests, eggs, chicks and habitat). Included in the Red Data Book as Endangered.

Important concentrations: Lake Cerknisko, Ljubljansko barje, west Julian Alps, Planinsko polje, Reka valley.

A full national survey was carried out in 1992-1993 by DOPPS, plus some ringing.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Spain

Legally protected (from shooting and harm to eggs, young and nest, but not from damage to habitat) and classified as "of special interest" in the National Catalogue of Threatened Species (Royal Decree 439/90). Included in the Red Data Book as Indeterminate (ICONA 1986).

Important concentrations: Cinca basin, Ebro depression in Catalonia.

The Catalonia Government has established two reserves: Llobregat delta (one male in 1984, 1993) and Montenegre mountain, Tordera (two males since 1990). No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

Sweden

Fully protected from hunting and habitat damage under a Schedule of the Wildlife Act.

Important concentrations: Oland, Gotland and Uppland.

Radio-tracking studies have been undertaken during 1992-1994 in South Oland to investigate the relationship between habitat, mowing and breeding success.

Switzerland

Protected under the Bundesgesetz über die Änderung des Bundesgesetzes über Jagd und Vogelschutz von 1962. Protected under the Federal law on hunting and bird protection, Bundesgesetz über die Jagd und den Schutz der wildlebenden Säugetiere und Vögel von 1986, from shooting, damage to nests eggs and young, and disturbance at the nest. Swiss Red Data Book, category 2, Endangered (Zbinden et al. 1994).

Important concentrations: Neuchatel and Vaud cantons of the Jura mountains.

There has been a general change in agricultural policy to less intensive agricultural management of meadows.

No Corncrakes breed in protected areas.

Ukraine

A quarry species, fully protected only in state Nature Reserves and partially protected in other nature protected areas. Not included in the New Red Data book of Ukraine.

Important concentrations: north-eastern and central Ukraine.

No conservation measures have been undertaken specifically for Corncrakes.

United Kingdom

Fully protected under schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (in Britain) and Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. A national action plan for this species was published in 1996 by the biodiversity steering group set up under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1994).

Listed in Red Data Birds in Britain (Batten et al. 1990).

Important concentrations: Western Isles, Inner Argyll Islands, Orkney.

Through the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) mechanism beef grazed at less than 1.4 livestock units/ha receive a premium payment.

ESAs are established in the Western Isles, Inner Hebrides and Co. Fermanagh by government agriculture departments.

Voluntary schemes are run throughout the range of the Corncrake to encourage delayed mowing and Corncrake-friendly mowing in strips or centre-out.

SNH has established a scheme to promote the growing of late-cut hay in Skye. However this is not targeted particularly at Corncrakes and there is no options for the provision of early cover so no Corncrakes are present in the area covered by the scheme despite the spending of GBP 2,002 over 51 ha in 1993 and GBP2,500 over 60 ha in 1994.

Around the RSPB reserve of Balranald the RSPB established a hay scheme paying GBP 2,600 in 1993 and (with the addition of an option to increase early cover) GBP 5,600 in 1994. Numbers have increased from 11 in 1992 to 13 in 1994.

RSPB has established three reserves: Coll, 18 males in 1994; Balranald (North Uist), 13 males in 1994; Loch Gruinart, five males in 1994.

Full surveys carried out 1978-1979, 1988 and 1993, with annual population monitoring of the majority of the United Kingdom population (since 1992 in Scotland and since 1990 in Northern Ireland).

Radio-tracking studies carried out in 1985-1987 (RSPB with Nature Conservancy Council funding) and 1993-1994 (RSPB), on habitat selection, timing of breeding and the effect of mowing on breeding success.

The benefits to the crofting community of Corncrake-friendly management have been promoted (by RSPB and the Scottish Crofters' Union).

EU LIFE-funded project with the Republic of Ireland and France

Yugoslavia

Important concentrations: in Serbia, Vojvodina, especially Sava and Danube valleys; in Montenegro, Lake Plavsko jezero at the head of the Lim river.