Nidderdale Black Grouse Project

The project aims to re-establish black grouse, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)priority species, to the Nidderdale Area of outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire. The English BAP aims to increase both numbers and range, with Nidderdale a priority area for recolonisation as it lies on the southern fringe of their current distribution. Here favoured habitats have been restored and conditions are now suitable, but recolonisation is limited by the low dispersive capacity of males. We have recently demonstrated that we can re-establish birds through translocating males and we wish to extend this work into Nidderdale. The project aims to translocate 15-20 male black grouse per annum for three years from core populations in northern England. All the released birds will be fitted with radio transmitters and tracked weekly to assess movements, display behaviour (lekking) and survival rates.