Current status
Black grouse are largely dependent upon the suitable management of moorland/woodland edge in Scotland and Wales, and the moorland/farmland fringe in northern England. The black grouse also utilises young conifer plantations and clear-felled areas with well-developed field and shrub layers that include rushes, cotton-grass, heather and bilberry. Mature plantations with widely-spaced trees also support suitable ground vegetation and can be important for the species.
The black grouse declined in range by 28% between 1968-72 and 1988-91, and the most recent UK population estimate (1996) is 6510 lekking males compared with an estimate of 25,000 in 1990.
The black grouse isprotected under the Game Acts (close season: 11 December-19 August), Annex II/2 of EC Habitats Directive, and Appendix III of the Berne Convention.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Over-grazing and agricultural improvement have removed key food plants such as bilberry, heather and birch scrub in many areas. These plants also support invertebrate prey items important for chicks, and provide nest sites. Sheep grazing in woodland can reduce the shrub understorey which is utilised by the species.
The shading out of the understorey in maturing conifer plantations.
Drainage and overgrazing of mires destroy two important black grouse food sources - the flowers of cotton grass and invertebrates. Rushes, which provide nesting cover and sources of insect food, are also affected adversely. Loss of wet flushes and riparian vegetation in afforested areas also leads to loss of food plants and invertebrates.
The re-seeding of traditional hay meadows or enclosed rough grazings destroys plants such as sedges, rushes, sorrel, buttercups and clover, which are important food plants.
Over-frequent moorland burning can lead to the formation of impoverished acidic grasslands.
Fragmentation of black grouse habitat often leads to small populations which are unlikely to persist.
Considerable numbers of black grouse are killed by collisions with deer fences. Overhead power and telephone cables may also be a problem.
Predation may be a limiting factor in some regions. Studies have shown the main predators to be foxes and crows.
Disturbance of lekking birds has been identified as a severe problem at some isolated sites.
Current action
Management measures to regenerate woodland, reduce grazing and control predators, based on research by the Forestry Commission, Game Conservancy Trust (GCT) and RSPB, have been shown to increase black grouse populations.
Guidelines for conifer forest management were published by the FC in 1993 and are incorporated into FC Forest Design Plans and Native Woodland Management Plans. Guidelines are being given a broader policy context through the UK Forestry Standard. The Forestry Authority has issued a guidance note on deer, forest regeneration and fencing.
Research by GCT is intended to lead to the production of a management handbook detailing practical work to encourage black grouse through the improvement of its different habitats.
A variety of grant aid mechanisms, including the Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS), ESAs, Tir Gofal, the Countryside Premium Scheme, and the Moorland Scheme, have the potential to improve much black grouse habitat through funding habitat management and fence removal. Individual 'challenge funds' under WGS/Woodland Improvement Grant Scheme target: management of existing
native woodland in the Cairngorms; expansion of native woodland in Deeside and the Forest of Spey; and enhancement of
upland oak woods in Wales and Argyll. A challenge fund targets new native woodland in national parks in England and Wales.
Collaborative recovery projects for black grouse are being developed and implemented by a range of organisations in different parts of the UK, including: the North Pennines (RSPB/NE/GCT and MoD); Tayside (RSPB/SNH/GCT); Dumfries & Galloway (FC/FWAG/RSPB/SNH); and Wales (RSPB/CCW).
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain the population of black grouse (at least at its 1996 level).
Restore the range of black grouse to its 1988-91 extent by 2008-11 as measured by BTO surveys.
In the long term (20 years), increase the range of the black grouse in the UK.
In the long term (20 years), increase the population of the black grouse in the UK.
Promote re-colonisation of formerly occupied areas between currently isolated populations by 2005.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Seek EU and UK livestock support policies which will help reduce sheep over-grazing in the uplands, especially the moorland fringe. (ACTION: MAFF, NAW, SE)
Where appropriate, include the requirements of the black grouse when preparing or revising prescriptions for agri-environment schemes. (ACTION: CCW, NE, MAFF, NAW, SE, SNH)
Seek policies which ensure protection of key black grouse habitats, and identify and target positive opportunities for expanding such habitats (e.g. through Indicative Forestry Strategies). (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, LAs, MAFF, National Park Authorities, NAW, SE, SNH)
Encourage and support habitat management for black grouse in woodland and open land in public and private ownership, including relevant species and habitat action plans, native woodland management plans and forest design plans (the latter to be extended to the private sector as long-term forest plans). (ACTION: FC)
Develop the Woodland Grant Scheme to encourage the favourable management of black grouse habitat in key areas, notably the North Pennines. (ACTION: FC)
Seek to reduce over-grazing by red deer in Scotland by exercising powers under the Deer (Amendment)(Scotland) Act 1996 to conserve the natural heritage. (ACTION: Deer Commission for Scotland, FC, SE, SNH)
Encourage the use of Objective 1/5b and Leader funding, and subsequent European grant schemes, to support low-intensity mixed farming systems suitable for the black grouse. (ACTION: CCW, NE, MAFF, National Park Authorities, NAW, SE, SNH)
Site safeguard and management
Consider notifying areas with high densities of breeding black grouse and with important lek sites as SSSI's, and negotiate positive management agreements to secure favourable site management where necessary. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Safeguard important black grouse habitat from inappropriate development, through the development control and planning process. (ACTION: CCW, NE, LAs, SNH)
Where possible, ensure favourable management of moorland and native woodland for the benefit of the black grouse. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, MAFF, MoD, NAW, SE, SNH)
Species management and protection
Promote and support the wise use of black grouse populations. (ACTION: CCW, NE, Home Office, SE, SNH)
Ensure the protection of important or isolated lek sites from human disturbance. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FE, MoD, SNH)
Advisory
Review guidance on management for the black grouse in Great Britain, and develop the UK Forestry Standard and associated guidelines, to take into account the FC (Scotland) Advice Note Deer, natural regeneration and fences. (ACTION: FC)
Advise landowners and managers of the presence and importance of the black grouse, and specific management for its conservation, and update that advice in the light of new policies and research findings. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, MAFF, NAW, Regional Forestry Initiatives, SE, SNH)
As far as possible, ensure that all agri-environment and forestry advisers are advised of locations of this species, management requirements and potential threats. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, MAFF, NAW, SE, SNH)
Future Research and Monitoring
Ensure the continuation of a collaborative population monitoring programme. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Continue to investigate black grouse demography to understand the factors limiting populations. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Continue research into black grouse ecology, with particular reference to diet, habitat and spatial requirements. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Monitor the effectiveness of measures introduced to increase or restore black grouse populations, including agri-environment prescriptions and forest management by FE. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FE, MAFF, NAW, SE, SNH)
Continue research to minimise or eliminate the problem of grouse colliding with forest fences and overhead lines, for example by developing new methods of marking, new materials, and new fence designs. (ACTION: NE, FC, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
As appropriate, use the black grouse to illustrate the issue of sustainable agricultural management in the uplands. (ACTION: CCW, NE, MAFF, NAW, SE, SNH)
Promote literature and other information sources detailing management measures to enhance black grouse populations, as further information from research work becomes available. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.