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Argyll and Stirling Black Grouse Project This project aims to achieve a better understanding of the distribution and population of black grouse within Argyll and Stirling, thereby helping to stabilise its numbers and range by delivering positive habitat management in key areas. It is funded by a partnership of RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Power and GDF Suez and will work closely with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (LL&TTNP) & other land mangers. Considerable work has been carried out on black grouse within this area in recent years. Many organisations have contributed to collecting lek data across this area, namely: The Central Scotland Black Grouse Study Group, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), LL&TTNP & Council Ranger Services and vital voluntary lek surveyors. Under the auspices of the LBAP a project officer employed between 2002-05 coordinated survey work in Argyll, wrote a series of management plans for core areas and implemented management work. In Stirlingshire and LL&TTNP, management plans were written for twelve key black grouse areas by FWAG. Both these projects were funded by a variety of sponsors including SNH, FCS, LL&TTNP, ScottishPower and managed by RSPB Scotland. At Craigengelt windfarm the developer has recognised the need to deliver positive management for this species, providing funding to do so in the wider Carron Valley area of Stirlingshire. With the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) in place, funding
is now available to land managers and there is a need to coordinate and
build on previous work to maximise the benefit for this species. A project
officer is in place to provide advice to land managers in key black grouse
areas on black grouse management measures that can be funded by the Rural
Development Contracts within the SRDP. How can the project help? Contact details Links: Map:
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