Number of corncrakes in Scotland rises for first time in five years

Conservationists hope it is a turning point for the red-listed bird, known for its strange summer calls

The number of corncrakes serenading Scotland with their strange summer calls has risen for the first time in five years, giving hope that this secretive bird can be saved from extinction in Britain.

Calling males rose to 870 this summer, up from a low of 828 in 2022 and the best total since the summer of 2019.