The decline of the corncrake Crex crex in Britain and Ireland in relation to habitat change.
Abstract
Censuses of singing male corncrakes (C. crex) on agricultural land in 7 sample areas of Britain and Ireland indicated a decline in numbers between 1988 and 1991. Changes during the 3-year period ranged from a 4% increase to a 70% decrease. Changes in numbers were better explained by a habitat suitability index than by any individual vegetation cover variables used in its calculation. Decreases in corncrake numbers were generally associated with reductions in the area of hay meadows, and in some areas with increases in short pasture and grassland dominated by Juncus spp.