Wild capers
IN EACH ISSUE GRAHAM HOLLIDAY WILL EXPLAIN WHAT WILDLIFE TO LOOK OUT
FOR IN THE COMING SEASON. APRIL/MAY: THE CAPERCAILLIE
Hunted to extinction in 1785, the capercaillie was reintroduced to Scotland in the 1800s. This turkey-sized grouse inhabits the old Caledonian pine forests of Abernethy, Glenmore, Glen Affric and Tay Forest. A decrease in available brood habitat, an increase in predators such as foxes and crows and high deer-fencing which is hazardous for low-flying birds like the capercaillie have all conspired against this extremely shy bird.
The capercaillie is the largest and most endangered bird in Scotland. The RSPB estimates that there are only around 1,000 of these magnificent birds left, and a second extinction is possible within a decade. April sees the beginning of the spectacular male mating displays known as ‘lekking’.
To see lekking capercaillie you’ll need to be an early riser. During April and May, watchers visiting the RSPB site in Abernethy are taken to the hide at 5:30am to see the males display and fight in what are often fierce battles in a bid to impress the smaller females who observe from the trees above.
“It is a real wildlife spectacle and attracts lots of birdwatchers,” says Kenny Kortland, RSPB Capercaillie project officer who helped set up the ‘Capercaillie Watch’ at the Abernethy Forest Reserve in Strathspey. In 2002, 1,500 people visited, and numbers will be monitored in 2003 to
control any potential disturbance.
The RSPB is at pains to advise visitors to the forest to be careful. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to disturb a nesting.....
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By Graham Holiday
Section : Scottish Wildlife
Page number : 34
