Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Chris Gomersall This code has been produced in partnership with: Black grouse and capercaillie

A birdwatchers’ code of conduct

and the Black Grouse and Capercaillie Biodiversity Action Plan steering groups, which comprise:

British Association for National Farmers’ Union Shooting and Conservation of Scotland Thank you Centre for Ecology and National Gamekeepers’ We hope Britain’s birdwatchers will support this Hydrology Organisation code. We are all working to ensure that black Country Land and Business National Trust Association grouse and capercaillie continue to inspire wonder. NFU Cymru Countryside Council Northumberland National So we must present a responsible image to others, for Wales Park Authority particularly those on whose support their future Deer Commission for Northumbrian Water may rest. Please help this effort by being Scotland Royal Zoological Society DEFRA responsible and sensible when looking for these of Scotland English Nature birds. You can also help by providing the details of The RSPB any lek counts (with map references) to the Farmers’ Union of Wales Scottish Executive relevant county bird recorder – to find your local Forestry Commission Scottish Gamekeepers’ England recorder, check www.britishbirds.co.uk Association Forestry Commission Scottish Landowners’ Further copies of this code are available from the Scotland Federation RSPB UK Headquarters. For more information Forestry Commission Wales Scottish Natural Heritage about black grouse and capercaillie, visit Forestry and Timber Severn Trent Water www.rspb.org.uk Association Snowdonia National Park Game Conservancy Trust Authority Heather Trust The RSPB Tilhill Forestry Ministry of Defence UK Headquarters, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire The Wildlife Trusts Moorland Association SG19 2DL. Tel: 01767 680551. Yorkshire Dales National National Assembly for Park Authority Scotland Headquarters, Dunedin House, Wales 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP. Produced with the support of the Scottish Executive Tel: 0131 311 6500. Wales Headquarters, Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB.Tel: 029 2035 3000. Cover photo by Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com) RSPB registered charity no 207076 23-1152-03-04 The black grouse and capercaillie are in serious Black grouse and capercaillie ‘lek’ at traditional trouble. Numbers are now so low in Britain that sites as part of their mating ritual, generally in the they are at risk of extinction in many areas: the spring. The lek is a small gathering of males that capercaillie could be lost from Britain within the display to females before mating. It is essential to next two decades. These birds need all the help the birds’ breeding success, but they are easily disturbed here. If this happens in the key period of they can get. As birdwatchers, it is vital that we April to early May, the birds may not mate at all. take our responsibilities seriously and avoid They can also be vulnerable when nesting, rearing harming these wonderful, but scarce, birds. young and during severe winter weather.

Watching capercaillie Conservation groups and leading birdwatching ● The capercaillie is listed on Schedule 1 of the magazines have drawn up this code of conduct.

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. This makes it Phillip Newman (rspb-images.com) We want everyone to enjoy the countryside and its illegal to intentionally disturb birds when nesting. bird life and hope that everyone who wishes to see ● The RSPB provides opportunities to watch black grouse and capercaillie will observe this code. capercaillie lekking from its Osprey Centre at Patience and respecting the needs of the birds will RSPB Abernethy Forest nature reserve, Watching black grouse often be rewarded with good views. Strathspey, during April and May. Telephone 01479 ● Black grouse lek for much of the year, the key Please follow these guidelines in addition to the 821409 for details. Away from here, capercaillie period being April and May. ● Birdwatchers’ Code of Conduct, and always ensure leks should not be visited at all during the crucial Watch leks and feeding birds from a vehicle. Black that you have the landowner’s permission before April–May period. grouse pay little attention to stationary vehicles entering private land. ● Capercaillie can be easier to see in autumn (from that are at least 100 metres away. Ensure that you September), as there are usually more birds once do not block access or disturb nearby residents. Disappearing grouse juveniles have fledged. Avoid approaching a lek on foot, which usually ● Capercaillie are less disturbed by vehicles than by disturbs the birds. Population declines are being tackled by: walkers; if you have vehicular access to a forest, ● Arrive at leks before daybreak. A vehicle stopping ● encouraging appropriate grazing by sheep and deer remain inside the vehicle with the engine switched once it is light can disturb the birds. Stay in your ● improving habitat quality off and observe birds quietly until they have vehicle and watch quietly through binoculars and ● removing or marking deer fences moved back into the forest. telescopes. Get the flask of coffee from the boot ● discouraging fox snares, which are known to ● Use well-defined tracks and paths, to which birds before your vigil! Don’t start the engine until after kill capercaillie will often come in search of grit. Do not wander in lekking has wound down, usually about two ● reducing rates of predation. heather and blaeberry/bilberry, especially between hours after dawn. Alternatively, consider Many conservation organisations and landowners May and August when nesting hens and young watching a lek in the evening. are working hard to help these birds, through the UK birds may be present. Flushing them can split up ● Keep to footpaths, especially between May and Biodiversity Action Plan. Shooting capercaillie is now broods, exposing them to predators, or cause August, when there may be nesting females and illegal and there is a voluntary moratorium on birds to fly into fences. Every year, deer fences kill young birds present. shooting black grouse. However, the declines an estimated quarter of juvenile capercaillie. ● Keep dogs under control (on a lead) when close continue in many areas and black grouse and ● For the best chance of seeing capercaillie, book to black grouse habitat and do not bring dogs capercaillie need all the help we can give them. You with a reputable Scottish wildlife tour company, into the field when you are watching grouse. can help too, when watching or photographing them. which may have special arrangements with ● The RSPB and Forest Enterprise hope to organise private estates and experience of showing opportunities to watch black grouse in Wales and capercaillie to visitors. Scotland in the near future.