Dumfries & Galloway Recovery ProjectThe Dumfries and Galloway Black Grouse Recovery Project is a partnership between the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage, assisted by Forest Enterprise Scotland, to stem the decline of black grouse in this area. Historically, Dumfries and Galloway held the largest concentration of black grouse in Scotland. In recent decades, there has been a huge reduction in numbers, due to changes in their moorland habitat, through overgrazing and lack of moorland management, and the maturation of conifer plantations. Combined with other factors, such as collisions with fences and predation, the remaining populations have become fragmented and isolated. Survey work carried out in 1995-96 by the RSPB and the Game Conservancy Trust found that Dumfries and Galloway holds about 7% of the UK population. A Black Grouse Recovery Officer was appointed in 1998 to draw up dedicated Action Plans for the most important leks in the region and to secure funding for the habitat management improvements identified in these plans. The objectives set in the Dumfries and Galloway Local Biodiversity Action Plan are to maintain the current black grouse breeding population and distribution in the region and, by 2005, to increase the number of lekking males by 10%, including a minimum of 100 lekking males within Galloway Forest Park. Click here to download the Dumfries & Galloway Local Species Action Plan leaflet (pdf 826kb) We encourage land managers to take up black grouse management measures that can be funded by agri-environment and the Scottish Forestry Grant schemes. The project also has a major role in raising awareness of black grouse, and in this, it has been very successful. Raising the profile of black grouse through the media, talks, targeted seminars and site visits is very important. We cannot afford to let people forget these charismatic birds of forest edge and moorlands. With plantation forestry accounting for over one quarter of Dumfries and Galloway - the highest density of plantation forestry anywhere in Britain - a crucial aspect of the project is incorporating the needs of black grouse into Forest Design Plans and other relevant plans. Through these, we have the best chance of securing the future of black grouse during future forestry changes. We hope to raise the profile of black grouse and awareness of their status through a series of talks and workshops. For an up-to-date list of all the future events click on the link below. Contacts: Map: Links: |