The Corncrake Life Project is looking for farmers in the west and northwest to apply to its pilot programme for 2021.

The objective of the project in 2021 will be to develop a results-based payment scheme for landowners and the pilot will be used to build a wider scheme from 2022 onwards.

The project will work with farmers and private landowners across Donegal, Mayo and Galway over the next five years to develop and implement conservation measures for the protection and restoration of the corncrake.

A limited number of farmers will be afforded the opportunity to be part of the development phase of the project in 2021, according to a briefing note on the project.

Targeted areas

Farmers with lands in Corncrake Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and within the target areas will be prioritized.

The target areas for the scheme are:

  • Malin Head catchment.
  • Fanad Head catchment.
  • Tory Island catchment.
  • Inishbofin and Inishdooey catchment.
  • Marblehill to Meenlaragh catchment.
  • West Donegal catchment.
  • The Mullet catchment.
  • Inishbofin, Omey Island and Turbot Island catchment.

    • Flexibility

    According to the briefing note: “Pilot participants and their advisers will need to be willing to afford a degree of flexibility and availability to the project in order for the scheme to be successfully developed.

    “Successful pilot participants and their advisers will work with the project team in 2021 to develop plans for each farm to benefit the target species. This pilot phase will be utilized [sic] to build a wider scheme from 2022 onwards and will be designed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who are project associates.” .

    Payments

    Participation in GLAS does not exclude farmers from participation in this pilot scheme.

    Rates of payment will be determined during the development phase. Both farmers and their advisers will be expected to attend knowledge exchange groups and training workshops.

    The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 23 April 2021. Applications received after this time cannot be considered. For further information please contact corncrakeLIFE@chg.gov.ie.