Red grouse counts in 2008

• There were record bags in England
• Spring and summer densites in England were even higher than in 2007
• Breeding success was similar in Scotland, but densities in the summer were higher

Red grouse in northern England

The year will be remembered as one of the greatest for red grouse in the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, with several estates shooting record bags.

We continued our long-term monitoring during the year by counting red grouse at 25 sites in northern England, spread across the Peak District, Bowland Fells, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines. Spring densities averaged 87 birds per 100 hectares, a significant 21% increase on equivalent densities in 2007. The previous good breeding season in 2007 (2.7 young per old) was repeated with an average of 2.5 young per old. Good breeding success combined with high spring densities resulted in average July densities of 250 grouse per 100 hectares (see Figure 1), up 15% on 2007, with densities in excess of 500 birds being found on several Pennine moors. This figure represents a three- to four-fold increase since the population crash in 2005 and the highest mean density recorded since our monitoring programme was expanded to 25 sites in 1992.

Figure 1. Average density of young and adult red grouse in July from 25 sites* across northern England, 1990-2008

	Young grouse
	Adult grouse

In spite of the record bags, high densities of grouse remained by the end of the shooting season. Where medicated grit was used and used well, worm burdens are still low and prospects for 2009 remain good. In contrast, on moors that have not used medicated grit, worm burdens are high and population crashes in spring 2009 are likely.

Red grouse in Scotland

We counted 24 long-term monitoring sites in 2008. In spring, densities averaged 33 grouse per square kilometre, compared with 35 in spring 2007. Overall, Scottish spring grouse densities were almost a third of those in northern England. Birds in Scotland bred less well than in northern England with less than half as many young per adult grouse, 1.2 young per adult compared with 2.5. Breeding success was similar to 2007 (1.4 young per adult). These rates of breeding success resulted in average densities of 66 grouse per 100 hectares (see Figure 2), 13% higher than equivalent values in 2007.

Figure 2. Average density of young and adult red grouse in July/August across Highland Scotland, 1986-2008

	Young grouse
	Adult grouse