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Capercaillie - update

The following are brief summaries of some of the action that we and our partners have done since the Species Action Framework was launched. They're in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top of the page.

17 March 2010

Scottish Natural Heritage has allocated £20,000 funding for the capercaillie Species Action Framework (SAF) project during 2010/11. Development on the 2010/2011 programme is being developed by the steering group and will cover similar activities to previous years. Other work can also be funded through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

Land managers who wish to receive support for capercaillie conservation are encouraged to contact the Capercaillie Project Officer at Timothy.Poole@rspb.org.uk who will provide advice on proposals and potential eligibility for SAF or SRDP funding.

7 December 2009

The capercaillie SAF 2008/9 work programme delivered targeted habitat management work on ten sites within capercaillie core areas. A full report  PDF document   on the work can be downloaded.

The capercaillie SAF 2009/10 work programme is ongoing and covers a similar range of activities with the exception of those which can now by funded through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

27 November 2008

A conservation project to help protect the capercaillie, one of Scotland's most flamboyant and iconic species, has received a £120,000 funding boost from Scottish Natural Heritage. See the Scottish Natural Heritage press release at "Capercaillie project takes flight on back of major Scottish Natural Heritage funding".

21 August 2008

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) launched three species action notes, including one for capercaillie external site . The species action note sets out in detail the FCS work for capercaillie as part of its overall biodiversity programme published in "Woods for Nature: our Biodiversity Programme 2008-2011 external site ". The capercaillie SAF implementation plan  PDF document summarises action agreed by all relevant partners, including FCS. The new FCS species action note for capercaillie explains in more depth how FCS will contribute to this overall effort.

12 May 2008

In 2007/8 action to support and sustain capercaillie populations was delivered through a partnership comprising Forestry Commission Scotland, Highland Birchwoods, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

On privately owned land Scottish Natural Heritage funding supported:

  • Reduction of capercaillie mortality threat through deer fence collision by removal or marking of 8379 metres of fence.
  • Creation of 135.25 hectares of capercaillie brood through variable density thinning of dense plantations.
  • Improvement to existing brood habitat conditions by targeted management techniques including: repair of 4765 metres of stock fence; heather swiping across 37 hectares; planting of 3000 habitat enriching trees and site drain blocking.

FCS carried out the following work on the National Forest Estate:

  • Removed 3200 metres of redundant deer fencing.
  • Improved over 2200 hectares of brood habitat.
  • Managed lek range habitat around 28 active leks through careful forest planning.
  • Carried out predator control on over 12000 hectares of important capercaillie breeding areas.

This work will continue through 2008/9.

11 October 2007

Work to continue improving the habitat and prospects for Scotland's capercaillie population will be delivered through the Species Action Framework capercaillie Implementation Plan. This plan is being taken forward through a partnership approach between Forestry Commission Scotland, Highland Birchwoods, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. This continues the sustained commitment over the years towards meeting UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) objectives for the species. This has been guided by the capercaillie BAP steering committee and their Capercaillie Project Officer with the supportive involvement of a large number of public and private land owners and the very successful Capercaillie Life Project which ended earlier this year.

Elements of the Life project have been taken as models for delivering management action and partners will soon be announcing details of this year's funded programme of fence removal or marking and habitat creation or enhancement. This work will contribute action towards meeting the UK BAP targets to increase the bird's Scottish population from an estimated 1980 in 2003/4 to 5000 by 2010 and expand their range from 40 to 45 occupied 10km squares.