Corncrakes

The unique 'crex-crex' call of the corncrake was once a familiar sound in the Wensum Valley. Their decline, first observed over 150 years ago, continued through the 20th Century. By the 1990s they were extinct as English breeding birds, with breeding restricted to the north and west coast of Scotland. Corncrakes are now extinct in many areas of continental Europe. Help us with our conservation work by adopting a Corncrake, click here to download an adoption form.

All the partners in the project are committed over the long term, and wherever small migratory birds have been re-established in the past, it has taken several years and a steadfast commitment to both avicultural excellence and habitat management to make it a success. The key factor is 'numbers'. As many birds as possible will need to be released each year and as much care as possible taken to ensure that they are all fit and healthy.

In our Millennium Garden aviary you will see (and may hear) a pair of corncrakes, which are there to help explain about the Nene Washes breeding programme and the plight of this critically endangered British species. The rest of the corncrakes are housed in the purpose-built breeding facility situated within the Conservation Centre.

More information on the corncrake reintroduction is available, or download an adoption form.