Long-term declines of red grouse in Scotland.

Abstract

1. Shooting bag records of red grouse were obtained by a questionnaire survey. Data from 160 Scottish moors were analysed to show temporal and spatial variations in grouse abundance.
2. Red grouse bags declined in two stages. The first occurred during the 1939-45 War and affected the whole country. The second stage occurred between the mid-1970s and 1983. During it, most moors in the Central Highlands and the South-West experienced a steep decline in grouse bags. The South-East showed only a slight decrease, while in the North-West Highlands bags increased.