corncrake crazy

Our Big Draw Flock is gathering its last few birds as it comes to settle on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, its northernmost destination.  Primary school pupils from Balallan (above), Laxdale, Carloway and Stornoway have been learning about corncrakes with the help of the RSPB and An Lanntair Art Centre, and drawing pictures of them.  The pupils mapped the migration route of corncrakes from Lewis to North Africa, and made origami corncrakes from the maps. 

The corncrake is hard to see in real life - 50% of the UK's breeding pairs nest in the Western Isles but they are shy birds.  Never before have so many been seen in the primary schools of Lewis!  See the Stornoway page for more pictures.