An emergency rescue plan to save one of Scotland’s most iconic birds is being put in place amid warnings the species teeters on the brink of extinction.
Conservationists admit there is no ‘silver bullet’ which can save the native capercaillie, but believe that swift action in a number of areas during the next five years could ensure the bird’s survival.
Among the plans suggested are feeding the animals which prey on capercaillie eggs, and creating more spaces for the birds to breed.
It is also possible that capercaillie from Europe, where larger populations still exist, could be introduced to the Highlands.
Capercaillie, one of Scotland’s largest birds and the biggest species of grouse, are under threat from loss of their forest habitat and breeding grounds, human intrusion into nature and predation from pine martens and badgers.
Almost all of the the native birds live within the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park, and its leaders have teamed up with Scottish Government agency NatureScot to launch the five-year Emergency Plan.
The plan sets out a roadmap of actions in a bid to secure a brighter future for the species, whose numbers have dwindled to around 530 in the wild.
Alongside land management to improve habitats - such as woodland grazing and forest bog restoration - the plan includes actions to reduce the impact of predators through diversionary feeding, which has been proven by the Cairngorms Connect Predator Project to increase the chances of artificial nest survival by 83 per cent.
Early analysis has found a higher chance of finding capercaillie with young when diversionary feeding is in place.
NatureScot will lead on work on establishing better information on pine marten populations where they coexist with capercaillie, so conservationists can monitor changes in their numbers over time.
A study will also be undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of reinforcing the Scottish capercaillie population with birds from outside the UK.
Andy Ford, Director of Nature and Climate Change at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “The Cairngorms National Park is home to 85% of the UK capercaillie population, so action in the National Park is critical.
“Protecting capercaillie has always been a collective effort. Thanks to the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project more people than ever before are now actively helping the species alongside the longstanding efforts of land managers and organisations.
“Given the scale of the task ahead to boost capercaillie numbers in Scotland we remain realistic but optimistic that a huge collective effort will make a positive difference.”
The plan is based on an investigation by NatureScot’s Scientific Advisory Committee, which found ways to improve the bird’s survival and breeding success.
Eileen Stuart, NatureScot’s Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change, said: “This is the most comprehensive plan of its kind ever produced for this iconic bird, bringing together stakeholders from every aspect of capercaillie conservation.
“With such low numbers, the species is predicted to become extinct in the next 20 to 30 years unless more action is taken at scale and on all fronts. The Emergency Plan will do just that and is the result of intensive work with over 100 stakeholders who are all committed to safeguarding the future of capercaillie.
“Requested by Scottish Government, the plan will tackle the multiple issues facing capercaillie at a pace and scale to help the species recover.”
This is not the first time Scotland’s capercaillie have faced prophecies of doom. In the early 1990s, conservation science projected that the birde would be extinct by around 2010.
Over the last five years, the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project - led by the Cairngorms National Park Authority - has reduced levels of disturbance over hundreds of hectares of core capercaillie habitat by developing participatory and community-led solutions, including with the mountain biking community, bird watchers and dog walkers.
The Badenoch and Strathspey Trail Association have been working with the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project as part of the project’s work with the mountain biking community.
Emma Holgate, Chair of the Badenoch and Strathspey Trail Association, said: “Thanks to the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, we've achieved far more for the local trail network while protecting the environment we love.
“By working together, we've made smarter decisions about trails in capercaillie areas, cutting mountain biking disturbance over 450 hectares without losing any trails.
“This success is all down to the strong partnerships we've built through the project and the wider mountain biking community, and we’re excited to keep that momentum and collective effort going through the Capercaillie Emergency Plan as we all have a part to play.”
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