Scientists are trying to understand why
capercaillie are thriving on a few estates, but not across most of their
distribution.
Local capercaillie success encourages ‘Friends'
to find out more
November 2012. A group of capercaillie experts
and enthusiasts have been visiting two Highland estates to find out why numbers
of the rare species are increasing in the face of serious declines in other
parts of Scotland.
The Friends of Capercaillie were invited to
visit the Forestry Commission Scotland owned Inshriach Forest and the privately
owned Glenfeshie Estate. Across Scotland - the only place in Britain where
capercaillies are found - there are thought to be fewer than 1,300 of these
magnificent turkey sized birds remaining. Nationally they appear to be
declining still further in their former strongholds like Deeside, but the
Speyside population is holding up well and even increasing on some sites, in
spite of ‘challenging' summer weather which affects productivity.
Lekkers
From only 9 lekking cocks counted in 2006, lek counts this year reported 33 cocks across Inshriach and at Glenmore, the Commission's other forest in the area.
From only 9 lekking cocks counted in 2006, lek counts this year reported 33 cocks across Inshriach and at Glenmore, the Commission's other forest in the area.
Graeme Prest, who manages Forestry Commission
Scotland's Inverness, Ross & Skye District, said: "Numbers in
Inshriach have increased - and the increase is impressive considering the big
declines over much of the rest of the range. Something appears to being working
well here for Capercaillie - and we were keen to show the ‘Friends' what we
have been doing and the impact it appears to be having. Much of that success
seems to come down to the fact that we are learning how to manage our
multi-purpose forests Scots pine forests in ways that allow us to strike a
balance between the needs of capercaillie and the demands of timber production
and recreation.
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