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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 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