Capercaillie Emergency Plan 2025 - 2030 - Flipbook - Page 30
Monitoring pine marten populations
NatureScot will lead a pine marten survey to establish a baseline for pine marten
populations where they coexist with capercaillie. The aim of the survey is to
monitor changes over time. The survey will replicate previous assessments and
integrate into a broader monitoring scheme to generate an index of activity and
track population trends. The method will follow the published standard approach
and involve fixed transects along forest tracks to count pine marten scats. Where
possible, within the overall sample, a single 10km transect will be undertaken to
replicate the methodology of previous predator studies undertaken in 1995 and
2009 in the forests of Rothiemurchus, Craigmore, Inverlaidnan, Kinveachy,
Abernethy and Glenmore. A representative sample of scats will be collected for
DNA analysis to verify the ID and enable a correction factor to be applied.
Objective
Establish a reliable baseline for pine marten populations in Strathspey to
monitor changes in activity over time and track population trends.
Actions by 2030
1. Commission a survey to provide a baseline for tracking changes in pine marten
populations over time.
2. Develop a scheme to generate periodic indexes of pine marten activity in the
National Park using baseline data.
Measures of success
§
Successful establishment of a reliable baseline for pine marten populations
in Strathspey.
§
Generation of accurate and consistent indexes of pine marten activity.
§
Results integrated into management plans, leading to measurable
improvements in capercaillie productivity and population recovery.
Partners (alongside the Park Authority and NatureScot)
§
Land managers relevant to survey sites.
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