Download Species conservation: Capercaillie

Species conservation: Capercaillie
Species background
The turkey-sized capercaillie is one of Scotland’s
most characteristic bird species. The world
population extends through forests in
mountainous regions of Scandinavia, central
Europe, northern Asia and Siberia. In Scotland it
occurs locally, mainly in Strathspey and extends
to woodlands in Deeside, Perthshire, around
Loch Lomond and Ross-shire. The capercaillie
needs boggy areas that support plants and insects which are an important source of food
and areas of younger or more dense trees which provide shelter and cover, particularly over
winter. To support a capercaillie population it is also important that there is a range of forest
structures with plenty of blaeberry and also some partly open areas that the males prefer for
displaying in spring. The males perform an extraordinary courtship display called a lek. While
fanning their tails and holding their wings down the males strut about and produce amazing
gurgling, wheezing and popping noises.
Their size means that capercaillie require very large areas of good forest habitat to survive.
Work carried out to benefit capercaillie is likely to benefit a wide range of other native
species that live in the same habitat.
Decline
After centuries of forest destruction and hunting
the capercaillie became extinct by the late 1700s,
but was reintroduced in the early 1800s.
Numbers rose to a peak in the early 1900s.
However there was a drastic decline by 1999 to
about 1,000 birds and the species was at a very
real risk of extinction again. The capercaillie is
also declining in other countries, such as
Switzerland and Russia.
Threats
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Increased bad weather, thought to be caused by recent climate change, during June
when chicks are newly hatched, has resulted in reduced breeding success.
Loss of suitable woodland habitat, partly due to over-grazing by sheep and deer.
Foxes and crows which eat capercaillie and their eggs.
Capercaillie dying as a result of flying into fences erected to control movements of
deer.
Disturbance by people.
Action up to April 2007
A five year capercaillie recovery project began in 2002, with the help of EU funds. The aim
was to reverse the recent decline in numbers by improving the species’ breeding success in
Scotland and so to reach the UK Biodiversity Action Plan target of 5,000 birds by 2010.
Populations in core areas were targeted. Habitat was
improved by cutting down some trees to open up forestry
plantations, increasing blaeberry and providing additional
ground cover. Legal control of fox and crow predators was
promoted. Deer fences were removed where they were not
needed and other fences marked to make them visible to
the birds. Advice was offered to estates and land
managers. The Caperwatch scheme allows members of
Blaeberry the public to watch for capercaillie from a viewing hide and
from CCTV cameras during spring at the Loch Garten Osprey Centre. Caperwatch raises
awareness of the conservation status of the species and reduces the risk of disturbance
from birdwatchers. Research and survey work was carried out. The 2004 national survey
suggested that the population decline had been halted; with the population estimated to be
about 2,000 birds. The next national survey will be in the winter of 2009/2010.
Bar chart of capercaillie population in Scotland 1970‐2004, form Capercaillie Life Project www.capercaillie‐
life.info/htm/the_project_achievements.php Species Action Framework plan 2007-2011
The SAF plan for the species aims to build on the previous project by extending
management measures that have proved successful to other areas. The development of
habitat networks to reduce fragmentation of habitats is also being explored. All key forests
for capercaillie are now being managed with the birds in mind.
Outwith the SAF plan other work includes research into capercaillie ecology, habitat use and
disturbance studies.
Weblinks
Arkive - species information on capercaillie. - www.arkive.org/capercaillie/tetrao-urogallus/
SNH Species Action Framework plan for capercaillie: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protectingscotlands-nature/species-action-framework/species-action-list/capercaillie/
LIFE Nature Capercaillie - Urgent conservation management for capercaillie.
www.capercaillie-life.info/
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds capercaillie pages - includes 2 videos and sound
recording that can be downloaded.
www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/capercaillie/index.asp
www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/species/casestudies/capercaillie.asp
 Caper Watch - gives dates and opening times of Caper Watch.
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/index.asp
Forestry Commission Scotland capercaillie action plan (with map of core areas which include
potential expansion zones)
www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcs-action-capercaillie.pdf/$FILE/fcs-action-capercaillie.pdf
Curriculum Links
Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes:
Science: Biodiversity and interdependence – Pupils can explore the rich and changing
diversity of living things and develop their understanding of how organisms are interrelated
at local and global levels. By exploring interaction, pupils can develop their understanding of
how species depend on one another and on the environment for survival.
Social Studies: People, place and environment - Pupils explore and appreciate the wonder
of nature within different environments and have played a part in caring for the environment.
Biology Higher: Control and Regulation – protection and conservation of an endangered
(threatened) species; Selection and Speciation – conservation of species through wildlife
reserves
Managing Environmental Resources Intermediate 1: Effects of human activity on the
local environment
Managing Environmental Resources Intermediate 2: Impact of human activities on
ecosystems: endangered species; conservation.
Managing Environmental Resources Higher: Investigating Ecosystems: human activities
– their effect on ecosystems and strategies for improvement; monitoring of populations for
conservation purposes
Science Standard Grade: A Study of Environments – Conservation- protecting endangered
species