Photo by Emily Graham
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We are seeing black grouse disappear before our eyes, will you help us save them?
By Dr Andrew Hoodless, GWCT Director of Research
We urgently need your help to save the black grouse, one of the UK's most iconic, but most endangered birds. The black grouse is now on the Red List for Birds of Conservation Concern following a decline in numbers and range. This beautiful bird, once widespread, has disappeared from many of its formerly occupied haunts. If we don't act now, we may lose these birds forever.
Our mission: The Black Grouse Translocation Project
To combat this decline, we're working on a groundbreaking project. The first phase focusses on developing a better understanding of brood foraging habitats in the North Pennines. Building on this knowledge, the second phase of the project involves translocating and re-establishing black grouse to areas in the North York Moors with suitable conditions to support new populations, helping to expand their range.
Equipping a sample of the birds with high-quality radio transmitters and GPS tags will allow us to follow their movements, settlement patterns, survival and lekking behaviour. Our long-term goal is to provide evidence to help guide landscape-scale management of moorland fringe grasslands to benefit black grouse and increase their range across the north of England, and to help mitigate against any likely future impacts of climate change.
This is novel work, and we’ve made a great start with the help of funding from Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme. We fitted seven females with these new tags this spring, with five going on to nest and three successfully hatching chicks. But this funding is now coming to an end, and we urgently need to secure funds to continue this project and see it, and the black grouse, succeed. This is where you can help.
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Why now?
Dr Phil Warren of the GWCT Uplands Research Department says “It's quite a sorry story, really, 200 years ago, black grouse inhabited every county in England but they are now only found in four counties - Northumberland, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Durham. Once there were leks on heaths in southern England, in places such as the New Forest and on Hampstead Heath in London. If you have read old literature, they were once quite a common bird, but not anymore.”
“I’ve spent most of my career studying this species and their range is now severely contracted, but we have demonstrated that the decline can be stemmed. To secure their future we need to increase numbers and expand their range”.
The GWCT plays a vital role in protecting black grouse. Building on the knowledge and experience of our Uplands Research Department, we are best placed to help secure a future for these incredible birds.
The black grouse is a remarkable bird, captivating all who are lucky enough to see their striking plumage and hear the enchanting calls of males during their unique courtship displays. We do not want to imagine a world where future generations do not recognise their call and cannot experience the awe of witnessing these birds in the wild. Your support is crucial in ensuring that the black grouse continues to thrive. With your help, we can secure a future where these iconic birds remain a part of our natural heritage..
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Will you make a donation today and help us bring back the black grouse?
Your contribution can make a real difference.
- £20 pays for one hour of data processing time, understanding the natural movements of black grouse is vital for management.
- £60 buys one net for catching black grouse, the greatest care is taken when handling these birds.
- £190 buys one VHF radio tag, which has a good battery life but a more limited location range.
- £1,250 buys one GPS tag, the tags provide hourly locations for three to four years and uses satellite technology to provide global range.
Could you make a difference by donating just £20?
Your support is vital to our work to bring back the black grouse. Your donations will allow our scientists to collect much needed data on black grouse behaviour and habitat needs, which will help us identify the best locations to target our conservation efforts and translocate birds. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to saving the black grouse and seeing this iconic bird at home across our landscapes.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for standing with us in this crucial mission. Your support is more than a donation; it is a lifeline for a species on the brink.