The North Pennines Black Grouse Recovery Project has been running since
1996, a partnership between The Game &
Wildlife Conservation Trust, Ministry
of Defence, the Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Northumbrian
Water, Sita Trust, North
Pennines AONB Partnership and Natural
England. The Project employs a dedicated project officer and assistant,
with the aim of delivering the Biodiversity Action Plan for black grouse
in England.
The main emphasis of the Project's work is to encourage farmers and landowners
to improve the conditions for black grouse on their land. The management
includes reducing grazing on the moor edges and adjacent rough pastures,
the re-establishment of traditional hay meadow management, planting of
small-scale upland ghyll woodlands and control of predation.
Facts and Figures
The remaining population in England is restricted to the northern section
of the Pennines, stretching from Wensleydale (North Yorkshire) to the
Scottish border. Every four years the Project monitors the English population
of black grouse by counting displaying males. Results from these surveys
show that the population has increased from 773 males in 1998 to 1,029
males in 2006.
Range of black grouse in England in 2006 (represented
by the presence of displaying males within 5 km grid squares).
Through the Recovery Project’s monitoring work, investigating the
effects of the management that the Project has advocated, there has been
an increase in the number of displaying males by 5% each year where grazing
by sheep has been reduced on the moor edge (through agri-environment schemes).
This compares with a decline of 2% each year where grazing was not restricted.
These positive results reinforce the need for better management practices
to aid black grouse survival. If we are to achieve the next goal of restoring
the species’ range we need to encourage more landowners to join
the schemes.
How can the Project help?
Landowners and managers with estates and farms that lie adjacent to or
within the current range of black grouse can contact the recovery project
officer. He can offer a free site assessment, advice on how best to manage
the land for black grouse and who to approach for the grants.
We also produce a newsletter to keep up-to-date with our progress, the
latest version is available to download here. (Newsletter
2008 pdf, 166k)
As well as running training and information days and monitoring the fortunes
of black grouse in the North Pennines, the project officer works closely
with staff from Natural England
who are developing agri-environment and SSSI management schemes.
Latest News:
New figures released
by The North Pennines Black Grouse Recovery Project reveal that black
grouse in northern England have hit their conservation target ahead of
time.
Contact details
If you would like to help or would like a site visit, contact the Recovery
Project officer
Links:
For more information on funding and best practice land management in England,
click here.
Publications:
|
