Current status and recent trends in numbers and distribution of Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in northern England.

Abstract

Capsule Surveys of Black Grouse in northern England in 1998, 2002 and 2006 show population recovery in the form of increases in both numbers and range.
Aims To quantify the population size and range of Black Grouse in northern England.
Methods Male black grouse attending leks were surveyed in 1998, 2002 and 2006. These results were put in context with a longer-term trend in northern England, using annual counts from a non-random sample of leks in the North Pennines between 1989 and 2006.
Results Numbers of males increased from 773 in 1998 to 1,029 in 2006. Range increased from 74 occupied 5-km grid squares in 1998 to 93 in 2006.
Conclusion The English Black Grouse population is increasing in both numbers and range, but has become fragmented into two sub-populations, one in North Northumberland, the other in the North Pennines.