New report outlines measures that could help to save the capercaillie
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The report from a sub-group of the NatureScot Scientific Committee (SAC) said that the capercaillie could be lost in 20-30 years if the declines continue.
Upon reviewing the evidence, new measures have been outlined as current breeding programmes are too low to allow the population to recover.
New suggested methods include predator control, diversional feeding and the creation of refuges around hotspots to minimise disturbance.
The adult population can be helped with removal of deer fences which can hurt the birds in flight and visitor control so there are less human disruptions to the area.
The main factors in the declining population were found to be foxes, pine martens, crows and disturbances from visitors.
Professor Neil Metcalfe, SAC sub-group chair, said the group was impressed with the work undertaken which he hopes will improve action to boost numbers of the capercaillie.
“Capercaillie are magnificent birds and an iconic species for Scotland, so I am deeply concerned that their population continues to decline. This underlines the need to redouble our efforts to work in partnership and at the landscape scale to reverse these declines," said Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater.
“We will carefully consider the recommendation's in this report and work with partners to build on the positive conservation work already happening on the ground, such as through the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project.”
Eileen Stuart, NatureScot deputy director of Nature and Climate Change, said: “It’s clear that the future of capercaillie in Scotland is extremely vulnerable. This excellent report sets out the scientific evidence on capercaillie conservation and management, and the steps that are now needed to help save this key species.
“We recognise the urgency of the situation and this report will be crucial as we look at options to accelerate action on the ground. Important work is already underway, and so there is much to build on.
“Drawing on the innovative work of the pioneering Cairngorms Capercaillie Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it is essential that our next steps are developed in close consultation with local communities, landowners and partners and in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. We’ll be working closely with all interested parties in the months ahead as we look to secure a future in Scotland for this iconic bird.”
Grant Moir, chief dxecutive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, commented: “Capercaillie are an iconic species in the Cairngorms National Park and we have been working hard with partners through the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project to help ensure their long term survival.
“We welcome the report from the Science Advisory Committee Sub-Group as this gives us the best evidence for ensuring we tackle the key issues, such as disturbance and predation. We need to consider the report fully, discuss with partners how best to take forward its advice and move quickly to take action on the ground.”
Commenting on the new capercaillie research, Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg, MBE, said: “A sizeable chunk of Scotland’s last remaining capercaillie forests, managed by Forestry and Land Scotland and RSPB Scotland, have had no predators controlled on them for years. The loser has been the capercaillie.
"Hopefully this science is now the beginning of that damage being undone.
“Gamekeepers have been lone voices, often discredited when speaking about capercaillie. This science is an endorsement that they were correct. Now we need to undo the years of waste, and mis-spent public money, and get on and save this iconic species.”
