Two pairs of corncrakes have been recorded on Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland for the first time in 30 years - PA

50 years ago, the distinctive crackling call of the corncrake could be heard across the country. Now, most people would not even recognise after numbers of the shy, ground-nesting species were decimated by farming.

The last recorded sighting of one of the birds in Britain was 15 years ago, and they had not been seen in Northern Ireland for 30 years - until this week.

The shy bird is red-listed by the RSPB, meaning it is of high conservation concern, and is threatened with extinction globally.

After the bird charity ferried plants the shy bird most likes to hide in - cow parsely, nettles and irises - to Rathlin Island, two breeding males were spotted.

Liam McFaul, Rathlin Island's RSPB warden, said it is the first time since the 1980s that the island has two calling corncrakes.

"The birds have two broods and the second brood will be hatching later in July," Mr McFaul said.

After mowing methods changed halfway through the 20th century, the bird numbers dwindled to almost nothing. It is thought there are just 1,000 left in the UK today, mostly in remote areas of Scotland.

This is because the animals nest in the ground and remain in the same area, so mowing kills the chicks and destroys nests.

Farmers are encouraged to cut their fields later in the season, and to cut from the centre of fields outwards to give the birds the chance to escape.