Results of Corncrake monitoring

Monitoring of breeding Corncrake population is carried out within the LIFE+ project since summer 2011 both in the project area and in control areas outside, to assess the impact of restoration and management activities on breeding Corncrakes. Field work and data analyses are carried out by Latvian Ornithological Society. Corncrakes are counted in seven routes, two of which cover the project site and five are located outside it (used for nocturnal bird monitoring since 2006). Other nocturnal bird species are registered as well.

Following the increase of Corncrake numbers in the project area in 2013, in 2014 the numbers declined (16 Corncrakes as a maximum were counted during a count within the routes of the project area this year, 26 – in previous year). While in 2012 there were even less Corncrakes in the project area (max. 11), therefore the population trend since 2011 is unclear.

In 2014, Corncrake numbers declined not only in the project area but also in control routes and in Latvia on the whole, and it is likely that the decrease is independent from management actions.

While, for the rare floodplain bird species – the Great Snipe – a rapid increase in numbers is observed within the project area since 2011.

The Corncrake monitoring will be continued in summer 2015.

Ilze Priedniece

16.01.2015.

Pic.1. Corncrake. Population trend in the nature park on the whole (since 2006) – unclear, within the project area (since 2011) – unclear. Blue line indicates population indexes in control routes within nature park, red line – in routes within the project area; dashed lines indicate standart errors. © LOS.

Pic.2. Great Snipe. Population trend in the nature park on the whole (since 2006) – rapid decrease, within the project area (since 2011) – rapid increase. Blue line indicates population indexes in control routes within nature park, red line – in routes within the project area; dashed lines indicate standart errors. © LOS.