Black Grouse - Conservation Concerns - Scotland. BACK in 2005 the Black Grouse became one of United Kingdoms most threatened species of bird, an ionic species there were no fewer than 5,000 birds remaining within the United Kingdom worrying many conservationists alike. Black Grouse are native to most of Europe however extinct within Montenegro - Serbia, Croatia; Hungary and Turkey. Now the bird is no longer listed as near endangered aka [vulnerable]. Thanks to excellent professional good old conservation efforts the Black Grouse is now classified as [least concern]. Scientifically identified by Professor Carl Linnaeus as Lyrurus tetrix back in 1758 the species species now has quite an extensive range covering quite a large area. 2000 - populations of Black Grouse dipped by some thirty percent. Unfortunately while conservation projects are helping the species increase the populations are still declining however not as rampant as they were back in the early 2000s of which saw the Black Grouse listed as near endangered. Although this species is declining in western Europe, it is not considered to be vulnerable globally due to the large population (global estimate is 15-40 million individuals) with a slow rate of decline. Its decline is due to loss of habitat, disturbance, predation by foxes, crows, etc., and small populations gradually dying out. The IUCN implemented a Black Grouse Action Plan 2007 - 2010. This has looked at local populations that are vulnerable to the extinction vortex. For example in Styria in Austria. Found in upland areas of Wales, the Pennines and most of Scotland. Best looked for on farmland and moorland with nearby forestry or scattered trees. They have traditional lek sites where the males display. They have declined in some parts of the UK (especially England), having disappeared from many of their former haunts. They are now extirpated in Lancashire, Derbyshire, Exmoor, East Yorkshire, New Forest, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Quantock Hills, Cornwall, Dartmoor, Kent, Wiltshire and Surrey. A program to re-introduce Black Grouse into the wild started in 2003 in the Upper Derwent Valley area of the Peak District in England. 30 grouse were released in October 2003, followed by 10 male grouse in December 2004 and a further 10 males and 10 females in April 2005. The programme is being run jointly by the National Trust, Severn Trent Water and Peak District National Park. Conservation groups helping to revive the black grouse include the RSPB and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. In France there has been much work regarding the birds and their risk of flying into ski-lifts. For now we breathe a sigh of relief knowing the species is still endemic to Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Unfortunately the conservationists are becoming concerned with regards to the Black Grouses status in Scotland. Black Grouse face continued pressures across the region. A main concern is the ability of the bird to move within its preferred habitat and the fact this limits its’ ability to meet and mate. This places greater stress on the population as a whole. The report confirms that Black Grouse in southern Scotland are in long-term decline. Scientists predict further reductions in numbers, coupled with a contraction in the species’ range unless strategic action is taken. The report concluded that Black Grouse survive where they have large patches of moorland to live in. The report lays the foundations for a ‘landscape-scale approach’ which will focus on protecting known ‘core’ populations before increasing the population numbers and connections to other patches on the landscape. How can you conserve the species? There are many ways you can help, such as taking up wildlife photography. Photographer Andy Rouse is a lead example of some of the stunning photography that we show here below. Andys Facebook here hereto https://facebook/andyrousephoto you can learn more about photography. You can also view Andy Rouse website here that depicts some stunning species of wildlife. andyrouse.co.uk/index.php?page_id=78 You can sell your pictures to raise funds for the Black Grouse Conservation fund hereto Scottish Natural Heritage Read the full report here - snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/publications/search-the-catalogue/publication-detail/?id=2192 International Animal Rescue Foundation World Action Scotland is not currently working to help this species of animal. The main conservation team have been tied up with the two major bee and bird watch projects that have been ongoing at ground level since 2013. We do encourage the public to please help the Scottish Natural Heritage Trust and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Together we can make a difference. Please note we are updating our online systems with more hi-tech security of which is slowing our systems down. While this may not disrupt our work entirely, its slowing some programs down such as automatic spell check, picture quality, media and communications slowed via email too. If you notice an error/problem please do contact us on the Facebook page and well correct it as soon as possible.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:03:55 +0000
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