Man arrested for disturbing Scottish capercaillie lek

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a disturbance at a Western Capercaillie lek in the Highlands.

The incident occured when the 63-year-old allegedly walked through the middle of a lek in the Strathspey area at dawn on Saturday 23 April. Northern Police has confirmed that a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Leks of Western Capercaillie have been disturbed by groups of birders in the Highlands this spring (Marc FASOL).

Constable Gary Dunlop of Aviemore Police Station said: "Capercaillie are extremely sensitive to disturbance which can seriously hamper their breeding success. All reports and information received regarding possible disturbance at lekking sites will be taken very seriously."

The news comes shortly after the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project called on birders to avoid searching for the species during the breeding season.