Three sightings of cuckoos have been reported to Irish Birding so far this year, and several corncrakes have been spotted, as migratory birds make their way home to Ireland this spring.

The first cuckoo was sighted on March 24 at Helvick Head, Co. Waterford by observer, Fran O'Connell.

Two cuckoos were sighted on April 2, one at Ballygunner Mór, Co. Waterford by observer, Vera Roche, and a second was observed by Tim and Michael O'Halleran in Lixnaw, Co. Kerry. The cuckoo sighted in Co. Kerry involved a rare female rufous morph.

Cuckoos are widespread across the country, according to BirdWatch Ireland, favouring open areas which hold their main Irish host species – Meadow Pipit. Cuckoos migrate to central and southern Africa for winter months.

Meanwhile, several corncrakes have already landed in Ireland, as recorded by the EU LIFE project Corncrake/Traonach LIFE.

The first bird was spotted by the team based in Co. Donegal. The project members are hopeful to retain numbers from last year, when 233 calling male territories were recorded.

Corncrakes are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly in south-eastern countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania), where grassland habitats are favoured.

They are generally found in tall vegetation (20cm) in hay and silage fields, rough pastures, and stands of herbaceous species such as yellow flag iris and nettles.

The EU corncrake project works with 150 farmers, landowners, and local communities across counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal covering more than 1,600ha in conservation and management measures.

EU LIFE project Corncrake/Traonach LIFE stated: "It goes without saying that the farmers, landowners and local communities involved in our project have done an incredible amount of work these past five years.

"While Corncrake LIFE may come to a close this year, we are confident that the good work will continue."

The aim of the project has been to improve the conservation status in Ireland of the corncrake by the enhancement of the Special Protection Area network and surrounding farmland.