Species Action Framework
Species for conservation action
BLACK GROUSE
Species Background
The male black grouse (black cock) (Tetrao tetrix) has blue-black plumage,
with white wing-bars, white under the tail, and curled outer tailfeathers; the
female (greyhen) has a barred, dark brown plumage and a whitish wing-bar. Both
sexes have red wattles above the eye. 
Why is this on the Species Action List?
It satisfies criterion 1a of the Species Action Framework as a species for conservation action. This species has undergone a rapid decline (over 50%) in the breeding population over the last 25 years. It is in urgent need of further targeted management action. There has been relevant ecological research undertaken on the species, primarily by the GCT and the RSPB. Both targeted and broader habitat management have made a difference to population and range recovery (e.g. the population decline in England and Wales has halted). It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is on the Scottish Biodiversity List. Its legal status is covered by Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. Black grouse is protected under the Game Acts between 11th December and 19th August, but can be legally shot outside this period.
Habitat, distribution and abundance
The UK population is estimated at 5,078 calling males, with 3,344 displaying
males recorded throughout Scotland. Two thirds of the UK population is found
in Scotland. Black grouse are largely dependent upon a mosaic of woodland and
scrub and an understorey of heather and bilberry. This can be provided by the
suitable management of moorland/ woodland edge in Scotland and Wales, and the
moorland/ farmland fringe in northern England. Black grouse also utilize young
conifer plantations and clear-felled areas with welldeveloped 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.
General ecology
During spring-time black grouse gather at traditional 'lek' sites in the morning where males display competitively and the females select their mates. Males take no further breeding role. Females nest on the ground in dense vegetation (higher than 40cm) and lay 6 -11 eggs in late April–early June. The adult diet includes bilberry and heather but the young depend largely on invertebrates for their first three weeks, after which they gradually shift to a herbivorous diet.
History of decline, contributory factors and current threats
The UK population of black grouse has been declining in range and numbers since the 1900s. Its range declined by 28% between 1968-72 and 1988-9, while the UK population declined dramatically from an estimated 25,000 lekking males in 1990 to just 6,510 in 1996. The 2005 survey revealed a continuing UK decline of 22% since 1995-96. These recent declines have been mainly in Wales and England but the bulk of the UK population is still declining in Scotland. The declines are due to a number of factors, including:
- The loss of important plant food sources, such as bilberry, heather and
birch scrub, due to over-grazing and agricultural intensification. These species
also support invertebrate prey items important for chicks, and provide nest
sites. Maturing conifer plantations shade out the shrub understorey vegetation
utilized by black grouse.
- Collisions with fences put up to exclude deer in order to prevent over-grazing
in woodlands.
- Drainage and over-grazing of bogs 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 may lead
to the decline of food plants and invertebrates.
- Re-seeding traditional hay fields or enclosed rough grazing destroys important
food plants, e.g. sedges, rushes, sorrel, buttercups and clover.
- Excessive moorland burning can lead to the formation of impoverished acidic
grasslands.
- Fragmentation of black grouse habitat can lead to small populations which
are unlikely to persist.
- Predation, mainly by foxes and crows, may be a limiting factor in some
regions.
- Disturbance of lekking birds has been identified as a severe problem at some isolated sites.
Action up to April 2007 and partners involved
Most of the management measures are based on research undertaken by the GCT,
the RSPB, and the FCS. Species management action includes increasing the opportunities
for black grouse to avoid predators through habitat management, reducing deer
grazing, positioning deer fences carefully to prevent collisions, and conducting
reintroduction programmes. 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), Wales
(RSPB and CCW), Tayside (RSPB, SNH and GCT) and Dumfries and Galloway (FCS,
FWAG, RSPB and SNH).
Guidelines for conifer forest management have been produced by the FCS and incorporated
into FCS Forest Design Plans and Native Woodland Management Plans. GCT is leading
on the production of a habitat management handbook detailing practical work
to encourage black grouse through habitat improvement. Current partners include
RSPB, SNH, GCT, FCS, NE, CCW and DEFRA.
Other web-based key sources of information:
- UKBAP Species Action Plan
- Arkive species account
- Black grouse UK
SNH is not responsible for content of other websites
Distribution data from the NBN (National Biodiversity Network)
(Note that not all records may be shown, and records from areas where the species no longer occurs may also be given)
Publications
- Forestry Commission Scotland. (2008). Action for black grouse. FCS.
Websites of partners who have approved the SAF implementation plan
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