Explore the varied and rich cultural heritage of county Mayo.

Corncrakes stand about ten inches tall and of a mottled brown color with chestnut-coloured wings. They are secretive birds, which keep to long vegetation, rarely straying into the open. In calm weather, the distinctive "crek-crek" calling of the male can be heard from up to a mile away.

The birds arrive in late April from their wintering grounds in southeast Africa, and egg-laying begins in late May after the male marks out his territory and has attracted females. There are usually two clutches of 8-12 eggs, in mid-June and in late July (or even later).

Heritage Centre collection

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