Positive signs for Scottish capercaillie

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has revealed that a slight increase was noted in the Scottish Western Capercaillie population this spring.

Annual lek counts revealed an additional 19 male birds compared to 2022 – the first increase for eight years. This year also saw a rise in the number of leks occupied, with six more used compared to 2022.

Furthermore, the results of a new study reveal that although the genetic diversity of the Scottish capercaillie population is low, there is no evidence to suggest that it has declined significantly during the 20th century since the first reintroductions.

The number of lekking male Western Capercaillie increased slightly in Scotland this spring (Natalino Fenech).

These encouraging results have emerged as CNPA and NatureScot have been asked to lead a co-ordinated action plan for the Critically Endangered species by the Scottish Government.

Capercaillie numbers have decreased by more than half in the last five years, with the most recent national survey (2021-2022) estimating that only 542 individuals were left in Scotland. Once found across the country, capercaillie's range has contracted dramatically in recent years, with 85% of the remaining population found in the Cairngorms National Park.

Therefore the findings that lek counts in some areas have increased, as well as the genetic data results and continued commitment from Scottish Government, is welcome news to conservationists.

Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater said: "The capercaillie is on the verge of extinction in Scotland, however new research shows that there is hope for the species. I know how much work has already gone into protecting one of Scotland's most iconic birds, and we cannot let these efforts be in vain.

"This new approach will see NatureScot and the Cairngorms National Park Authority engage and work with a variety of stakeholders whose valuable experience and insight will be crucial in our efforts to protect the species. This is a key milestone in our efforts to implement the recommendations as set out by NatureScot's Scientific Advisory Group's report on capercaillie, which includes the removal of deer fences and improving access to appropriate habitat.

"This is part of our wider mission to address the imminent crisis of nature loss in Scotland."

A workshop will be taking place in Aviemore on Wednesday 16 August to explore all capercaillie conservation options with key stakeholders.

The Scottish capercaillie population is feared to be as low as some 550 individuals (Walter Schulenburg).

Responding to the news from CNPA, RSPB Scotland's Duncan Orr-Ewing said: "We welcome the announcement by Cairngorms National Park Authority, with support from the Minister Lorna Slater MSP, that a costed spatial plan for the delivery of positive conservation measures for capercaillie will be developed in consultation with stakeholders, along the encouragement of landscape scale pinewood habitat restoration.

"We will also support proposed surveys to better understand the local Pine Marten population. We encourage this conservation programme to move ahead quickly now to help recover capercaillie populations in the species' Scottish and UK stronghold of the Cairngorms National Park.

"In 2022 we supported the main outcomes of the NatureScot Review of Capercaillie Conservation and Management; however, we raised concerns about both the need and practicality of any removal of Pine Martens from capercaillie areas.

"At Abernethy National Nature Reserve, we have seen a welcome increase in the number of male and hen capercaillie attending their lek in recent years, and we are pleased to report that these increases continued in 2023. We have been undertaking a huge amount of work to help these iconic birds - this includes habitat restoration by restructuring plantations; cattle grazing; heather cutting in the forest; and using diversionary feeding of predators to reduce predation of capercaillie. In addition, we reduce and manage human disturbance to capercaillie through ranger provision, signage, communication work and removal of some vehicle tracks."