Posts Tagged ‘capercaillie’
Emergency plan to save capercaillie from extinction in Cairngorms National Park
They have been in decline for decades, with experts believing they could be extinct in the next 20 to 30 years. But now an emergency bid to save the UK’s capercaillie population in the Scottish Highlands has been launched – and could lead to birds being introduced from continental Europe to help boost numbers. Cairngorms…
Read MoreCapercaillie numbers at leks down 9% amid extinction fears
The number of male Capercaillie at leks was down nine percent amid extinction fears for the species, The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has warned. Only 153 male birds were recorded at leks in key forests this year, 15 less than this time last year, according to the group. They warned should the decline continue, it would…
Read MoreThe great egg caper that could save the rare capercaillie from dying out
Researchers made fake nests and filled them with chicken eggs as part of a trial designed to help save the capercaillie, one of the UK’s rarest birds. The capercaillie is a ground-nesting bird that, with just over 500 left in the wild, is in danger of extinction in the UK. One contributor to its decline…
Read MoreVisitors to Balmoral Estate now able to see rare Capercaillie mating ritual
The elusive mating ritual of one of our most endangered birds can now be seen without any risk of disturbance thanks to a new visitor attraction on Balmoral Estate. The capercaillie lek is one of nature’s wonders, where the turkey-sized males square up to each other to prove to a hen that they are a…
Read MoreVisitors to Balmoral Estate now able to see rare Capercaillie mating ritual
The elusive mating ritual of one of our most endangered birds can now be seen without any risk of disturbance thanks to a new visitor attraction on Balmoral Estate. The capercaillie lek is one of nature’s wonders, where the turkey-sized males square up to each other to prove to a hen that they are a…
Read MoreJersey’s Durrell Wildlife Trust takes on Scottish estate
A conservation trust based in Jersey has unveiled a major rewilding project on a Perthshire estate – with plans to move away from its historic sporting use. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust have announced bold ambitions for the 18,500 acre Dalnacardoch Estate, their first project north of the border. Plans for the 100-year rewilding project includes…
Read MoreNew UK coins to reflect King Charles III’s passion for wildlife
A new set of coins coming into circulation to mark the reign of King Charles III will highlight his passion for conservation by featuring threatened species. The eight new coin designs will include a hazel dormouse, red squirrel, oak leaf, capercaillie, puffin, Atlantic salmon, bees and national flowers. The species featured on the coins, which…
Read MoreNumber of critically-endangered capercaillie increases
Numbers of critically-endangered capercaillie have increased for the first time in eight years. The birds are on the verge of extinction in Scotland with numbers having decreased by more than 50% in the last five years. The latest national survey (2021/2022) estimated there are only 542 capercaillie left in Scotland. But the latest lek count…
Read MorePerth event to examine grouse conservation
SCOTLAND’S four grouse species will be under the spotlight during an event in Perth. The symposium – entitlted “Practical Conservation for Scotland’s Grouse species” – is being organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and the World Pheasant Association (WPA). Taking place at Balhousie Castle on 5 May, the event will examine the…
Read More‘End is nigh’ again for capercaillie, warn experts
THE capercaillie could become extinct in Scotland for a second time unless its predators are controlled, according to conservationists. This year’s brood survey by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) found only 300 to 400 birds now live in Scotland, with 90% confined to part of Strathspey. That number has fallen from around 2,200…
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