From the North Pennines to the North York Moors: The GWCT Black Grouse Translocation Project is in full swing! Our latest short film (above) offers an exclusive glimpse into the incredible work our team is doing to safeguard this iconic species.
The Black Grouse Range Expansion Project, funded by Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme, aims to protect black grouse from the potential impacts of climate change. By increasing breeding success and expanding their range into the North York Moors through conservation translocation, the project seeks to secure a future for this iconic species.
Recently, the GWCT Uplands team translocated several male and female black grouse from the North Pennines to the North York Moors. This effort focuses on re-establishing populations in areas with lower rainfall and warmer temperatures. You can watch the full story here or visit the project web page for more details.
Tales from a Wildlife Photographer
We caught up with renowned wildlife photographer Tarquin Millington Drake, author of Living With Greys, to discuss his passion for capturing the black grouse lek on camera. His insights and stunning imagery are featured in our short film, “Tales from a Wildlife Photographer”.
If inspired, you can purchase Tarquin’s book Living With Greys from our shop.
Tracking Progress in the Uplands
A crucial part of safeguarding black grouse populations is measuring breeding productivity, which involves summer counts supported by trained dogs. For more about this essential work, read our blog, “It’s a Dog’s Life in the Uplands”.
This spring, the team tagged seven female black grouse. Five nested successfully, and three hatched chicks, marking a positive step forward for the project.
Support the GWCT Black Grouse Appeal
With Natural England’s funding ending in March, we have launched an appeal to raise funds and continue this important work. Donations directly help us ensure the success of the Black Grouse Expansion Project:
- £20 funds one hour of data processing to analyze movements and foraging areas.
- £60 provides a net for catching and tagging black grouse.
- £190 buys a VHF radio tag to track birds for one year.
- £1,250 funds a GPS tag to transmit hourly locations for up to four years.
To hear from our experts and learn more about the appeal, watch “An Icon of the Uplands”.
Thank you to everyone who has already supported the project—your contributions are essential to securing a brighter future for black grouse populations.
Could you make a difference by donating today?
200 years ago, black grouse inhabited every county in England but they are now only found in four counties. With your support, our scientists can gather crucial data to guide conservation efforts and translocate birds to suitable habitats.
Your contribution will directly support our Black Grouse Translocation Project, restoring these birds to areas where they once thrived. Together, we can ensure future generations experience the magic of seeing black grouse in the wild. Please, donate today to help us save black grouse.