Black grouse counts

• Latest black grouse surveys show stability in England, increase in Wales and decline in Scotland.
• We have provided management advice on 75% of black grouse range in England.

A survey of randomly selected five-kilometre grid squares within the known and historic range of black grouse in 1995/6 estimated a UK population of 6,510 lekking males. Of these 4,660 were in Scotland, 1,700 in England and 150 in Wales. Results from the 2005 repeat UK survey revealed stability in England, a 39% increase in Wales, but a 29% decline in Scotland over the last 10 years. Scotland still supports two-thirds of the UK’s black grouse, but declines have been severe in south-east (-69%) and south-west Scotland (-49%), with only northern Scotland remaining stable. A revised estimate of black grouse in Scotland is now 3,344 males, with 1,521 in England and 213 in Wales, providing a combined UK total of 5,078 males.

Grouse moor management appears to be an important factor in the conservation of black grouse. In England, 90% of black grouse live on the fringes of grouse moors, in Wales 50% are found where gamekeepers control predators, and in Scotland, the only region where numbers have remained stable (north-east) is typified by intensive grouse management.

Black grouse recovery in England 1996-2005

In England, our black grouse recovery project has delivered its primary BAP objective of halting the bird’s decline. National surveys in 1998 and 2002 revealed a stable range and a modest increase in numbers from 789 lekking males in 1998 to 893 in 2002. These population sizes for England are based on full lek surveys, rather than partial surveys of only a few sample squares as described above in the UK survey. Accordingly, despite being considerably smaller, these population estimates are more accurate. This success has been achieved by demonstrating that black grouse respond positively to appropriate management. We have given management advice to about 75% of land within the current black grouse range. We have also developed successful working partnerships with the private and statutory bodies within the region to facilitate habitat enhancement and influence land use policies to incorporate black grouse needs. The profile of black grouse, which is now an iconic species in the North Pennines, is that of an indicator of high quality upland landscape.

Black grouse recovery in England 2006-2011

Although the decline in England has been stemmed, the population range is small: 63% of the English population is confined to just three North Pennine Dales – Teesdale, Weardale and South Tynedale. Our surveys show that although this core is robustand even getting stronger (see Figure 1) the current distribution is at best only being maintained. Population fragmentation and isolation is evident on its southern and northern fringes, where some lekking groups continue to decline despite habitat improvement. Accordingly, the population in England has now fragmented into at least two isolated sub-populations. The long-term sustainability of black grouse in England is dependent on consolidating and expanding the range. The revised BAP objective to expand the current range in northern England  depends on implementing three project components: a five-year extension of the existing recovery project; translocation of surplus males from donor sites in the core of the range; and an application to Heritage Lottery Fund to expand the range of black grouse in north-west Northumberland.

The proposal has been well received by our current project partners and we anticipate starting a new phase of work in spring 2006.

Figure 1. Number of black cocks attending 28 leks in northern England 1991-2005