Management Schemes
Corncrake Management Scheme
Aim:
The Scheme provides financial incentives to help safeguard populations of breeding corncrakes within corncrake Special Protection Areas by encouraging and supporting the sympathetic management of agricultural land.
Natural Heritage Interest Targeted:
Populations of breeding corncrakes
Eligible Areas:
Corncrake Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in Western Isles, Tiree, Coll and Islay.
Figure 1. Location of Corncrake Special Protection AreasManagement Requirements and Payments
Applicants sign up to a one-year management agreement which covers:
- The establishment and management of late mown grass crops, and
- The creation of adjacent early/late cover, thereby ensuring that suitable tall vegetation is available for corncrakes throughout the breeding season from April to October.
Annual Payments
Rate |
Prescription |
| £140/ha (Argyll Islands) |
Late mown grass crop: 1. Exclusion of stock by 15 May 2. Cutting/grazing on or after 1 August 3. Cutting to be undertaken in a ‘corncrake friendly’ manner’ 4. No cultivation or fertilisers and controlled use of pesticides. |
| £200/ha (maximum payment of £100) | Early/late cover areas: 1. Excluding stock by 1 March 2. Reintroducing stock, if required, after 15 October |
Capital Payments
| Rate | Item |
| £3/m | Fencing |
| £20/m or £22/m | Gates |
| £20 or £25 |
Relationship with Other Schemes
The scheme is designed to complement other corncrake management prescriptions available under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Schemes on the Argyll Islands and the Uist Machair, the Countryside Premium Scheme and Rural Stewardship Scheme. SNH's corncrake management scheme is aimed at managers who:
- are ineligible for the other schemes
- have already reached financial ceilings in other schemes
- do not wish to apply for other schemes or
- do not have access to appropriate management because the schemes do not contain relevant provisions
Table 1. Summary of Corncrake SPA Management Scheme Agreements in force during year to 28 February 2001.
| Expenditure on agreements during year: | £49,472 |
| Number of agreements in force : | 129 |
| Area under agreement (ha): | 268 |
Approximately 15% of crofts and farms within the corncrake SPAs have entered
the scheme. There are many units which have entered land under other agri-environment
schemes for corncrakes or which do not have the capacity to undertake the
required management.
The Corncrake Management Scheme is currently under review and it is hoped
to launch a revised scheme early in 2002.
If you would like further information about this scheme or more general information
on Natural Care, please contact:
Natural Care Team,
Scottish Natural Heritage,
Battleby,
Redgorton,
Perth, PH1 3EW.
Tel: 01738 444177,
Fax: 01738 444180.