Ireland's unluckiest bird (after the eagle) is the Corncrake.

Its sad decline has been well publicised for many years. Only a few sanctuaries remain ... and yet over the recent June bank holiday (2010) my uncle and I heard one in full voice on Oileán Cruit in West Donegal. (Listen to what we heard in the video below.)

I have been visiting there for over 30 years and never heard one before - nor has my uncle or anyone in his family.

However, there are 6 or 7 nesting on nearby Oileán Uaigh - so the bird we heard may be part of a new vanguard. He squawked his heart out for days.

Cruit seems well suited to him - lots of long grass. I just hope he manages to find a mate and survive.