Capercaillie Emergency Plan 2025 - 2030 - Flipbook - Page 46
Monitoring leks
Whilst it is vital to keep monitoring the capercaillie population using field surveys,
other techniques could bring new insights, produce more robust estimates than
currently possible and reduce the risk of disturbance. The practice of using genetic
material to survey lek sites is already used successfully in Europe and has been
proven to produce more accurate results. To explore this in more detail, the
Cairngorms Capercaillie Project undertook a pilot genetic survey in 2022 and
commissioned RZSS to analyse the droppings collected. The results identified 5
unique genotypes at one lek site which correlated with the results from the
traditional lek survey. At a second lek site, 18 unique genotypes were identified
using droppings whereas the traditional lek survey recorded 15 birds. This indicates
that the use of genetic material (droppings) produces a more robust estimate of
lekking birds, with further work needed to sex the birds using droppings.
Objective
Enable the development of more robust techniques to monitor target lek sites.
Actions by 2030
1. Run a workshop to review the findings from the pilot genetic lek survey and
the implications for ongoing monitoring of Scottish capercaillie populations.
2. Extend the pilot genetic lek survey to include a larger number of lek sites and
run in parallel with traditional surveys to further test the method.
Measures of success
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Enhanced accuracy and reliability of data collected from lek sites, particularly
those that can be challenging to survey using traditional methods.
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Results integrated into management interventions, leading to measurable
improvements in capercaillie productivity.
Partners (alongside the Park Authority and NatureScot)
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RZSS
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RSPB
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