Black grouse are set to make a comeback on Arran thanks to a team effort, involving the Arran Black Grouse Group, the National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, and Arran Natural History Society.

On Sunday 15 February 2008, fourteen pairs of black grouse arrived on Arran and it is hoped that the birds will reinstate the once booming population of black grouse on the island. 

Historically, the black grouse received special protection in Arran.  In 1703 in the book, “A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland”, author M. Martin states that: “The blackcock is not allowed to be killed here without a permit; the transgressors are liable to a fine.” 

This changed and in the nineteenth century large numbers were being shot. Until the 1950s, the black grouse was a common breeding species and was well distributed throughout the island. However, numbers continued to fall, and the last record was a single female in High Glen Cloy on 18 February 2000.

This decline was happening in almost all of western and central European countries, with black grouse numbers starting to fall in the latter half of the 19th century, accelerating over 1970 - 1990.  In Britain, surveys carried out by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Game Conservancy Trust (GCT) and Forest Enterprise (FE) show that the UK black grouse population fell from around 25,000 males in the early 1990s to an estimated 6,510 males in 1995/6.

The main reasons thought to have contributed to the decline of black grouse include loss of habitat through intensive sheep grazing, agricultural improvements and changes in agricultural practices; and increased numbers of predators such as foxes, especially where black grouse numbers are already low.

National Trust for Scotland Senior Ranger, Kate Sampson said:

“It is great to see the black grouse finally arrive on Arran – this follows 8 years of planning and hard work by the Arran Black Grouse Group, supported by essential funding from the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage - as well as generous donations from local businesses and individuals from Arran. 

“We will now keep the females and few of the males in specially-designed pens intended to mimic natural habitat and reduce stress levels so that the birds can breed in safety this year. The chicks will then be released into the wild, where we hope they will flourish once again.”

Conservation experts will release a few unattached males in the next few weeks to enable them to set up territories and prepare for females who will be released later in the year.

Notes:

1.       The Arran Black Grouse Group is very much a local group with a wide range of representation including: conservationists, estate managers, farmers, foresters, and gamekeepers. This almost unique partnership of local people with the support of Scottish National Heritage and the National Trust for Scotland, is committed to black grouse reintroduction.

2.       Several black grouse recovery projects have been initiated in the UK.  One successful project has been led by Gordon and Christine Bowker who have been undertaking a successful release and breeding programme in the peak district with the support of Seven Trent Water. Gordon and Christine Bowker have provided the Arran Black Grouse Group with invaluable advice and support and provided 14 pairs of grouse.

3.       As a result of the press release by the National Trust for Scotland on Friday 27 February, the following links appeared on Google including from the BBC and USA Today.

News Story National Trust for Scotland http://www.nts.org.uk/NewsStory/466/

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Black grouse make return to Arran http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7912199.stm

Arran comeback for the black grouse - The Arran Banner | Where your community comes alive http://www.arranbanner.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/1565/Arran_comeback_for_the_black_grouse_.html

Black grouse make return to Arran - Scotsman.com News http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Black-grouse-make-return-to.5025765.jp

Black Grouse now on Arran http://thegreenwellystop.co.uk/blog/blog2.php/black-grouse-now-on-arran

Black Grouse return to Arran » Walk Highlands news http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/black-grouse-return-to-arran/00474/

Royal Society Article Page - USATODAY.com http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Natural+and+Physical+Sciences/Environment/Royal+Society/0eeteWpbHd3eP/1

In addition on Saturday 28 February on BBC Radio Scotland's "Out of Doors" programme Kate Sampson, Head Ranger of the National Trust on Arran and Rab Logan Wildlife Officer for the Forestry Commission on Arran, both members of the Arran Black Grouse Group, spoke about the Black Grouse re-introduction programme on Arran.

4.       For more information, or to offer support to the Arran Black Grouse Group, please contact arranbgg@fwi.co.uk.