Perthshire safe haven for rare black grouse put on show

The restoration home of one of Scotland’s rarest birds was shown to local politicians and school pupils yesterday for the first-ever black grouse open day in Perthshire.

Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group showed off the red-listed birds in Strathbrann, to pupils from Ardvreck.

Having watched the number of grouse decrease in the glens to low numbers, considerable control and management of the area has seen the species grow to 50 males.

The event showed guests, including MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Murdo Fraser, how the careful land stewardship has increased the rare species.

Ronnie Kippen, gamekeeper of the grounds, said the black grouse were effectively lost from the area before control took place 20 years ago.

“Many thousands of metres were fenced off and the habitat thrived, providing great habitat for nesting and feeding,” he added.

“The control of predators helped get the balance right and it has been great to see the expansion of the black grouse.”

Around 5,100 male black grouse are left in the UK, with countries such as Denmark, Holland and Belgium down to their last few pairs.

Daniel Parker, estate manager at Abercairny, which also hosts black grouse, said: “Populations are certainly very strong at the moment.”