De Kwartelkoning Crex crex in Drenthe: terug van weggeweest

Corncrakes have always been rare breeding birds in the province of Drenthe since standardised breeding bird surveys were initiated in the 1970s; 16-22/year in 1975-80, 9-31/year in 1981-87 and 5-10/year in 1990-95. This situation changed dramatically in 1997 and 1998, when respectively 31 and 134 calling males were located (for censused areas, see Fig. 1). The birds preferred wet haylands in valleys of streams and rivers in the northwestern and southwestern lowlands of the province (Fig. 2). Despite the relatively small acreage of natural haylands (managed by nature protection societies), 86% of all males in 1998 settled there, rather than in economically farmed grasslands (which constitute the main habitat type in Drenthe's grasslands)(Table 1). In Dutch nature reserves, mowing is normally delayed till 15 June, in order to save clutches and broods of meadow birds as Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa. However, this date is clearly not well-chosen with respect to late-laying breeding birds as Corncrakes and Whinchats Saxicola rubetra. It is therefore suggested to extend the mowing date towards 1 (or even better 15) August.