Capercaillie counts in 2008

Capercaillie have also had two consecutive bad breeding years. Both 2007 and 2008 were poor following wet weather in June just after the chicks hatch. Only 20% of the hens we found in 2008 had broods and breeding success averaged 0.4 chicks per hen (see Figure), compared with rates of 15% and 0.3 in 2007. Fortunately, capercaillie adult survival rates are high, especially now that recent efforts have been devoted to removing redundant fences and limiting the number of new ones. Fewer deaths from fence collisions means that capercaillie should be better able to tolerate several years of poor breeding. New studies in 2009, part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, will allow us to consider changes in annual breeding success in relation to forest habitats. Particular consideration will be given to how capercaillie breeding success is affected by changes in pine marten abundance over the last 14 years.