Supporting one of Scotland’s most iconic birds

Project Name

RSPB Abernethy – Conserving Endangered Capercaillie

Project Type

FCC Scottish Action - Biodiversity

Our Funding

£34,092

Total Project Cost

£34,092

The Capercaillie is one of Scotland’s most iconic birds – but it’s also critically endangered. There are only an estimated 542 Capercaillie remaining, and over 80% of these are found within the Cairngorms National Park. RSPB Scotland Abernethy nature reserve, in the heart of the Cairngorms, is a key stronghold.

Capercaillie thrive in areas of Caledonian pinewood habitat where the forest floor vegetation, is in good condition and rich in biodiversity – providing a vital feeding habitat for these birds. Unfortunately, in many areas of Abernethy, this vegetation is in an unbalanced state, with heather dominating the forest floor and outcompeting other plants. This is diminishing biodiversity, resulting in reduced availability of food for capercaillie. Recent trials have shown that cattle grazing can enhance habitat conditions for Capercaillie; the cattle break up heather and increase plant diversity, creating more food sources for these vulnerable birds.

Funding from FCC Communities Foundation was used to erect new boundary livestock fencing, and purchase NoFence collars and monitoring equipment to aid the capercaillie conservation efforts at the reserve.

Nofence collars are used to guide the herd to where grazing is needed most. This is a virtual fencing system used to manage livestock, consisting of GPS collars worn by cattle, that connect to a mobile app. Together, these create virtual boundaries which can be quickly and easily altered to manage herd movement into areas where their impact will achieve the greatest habitat benefits, something not possible with fencing.

One of the reserve’s boundaries borders a busy public use road, and the fencing here was in significant disrepair. New livestock fencing has been erected along this road to ensure the safety of the cattle. Funding was also used to purchase and install cameras across the reserve to enhance monitoring of the species to measure the effects of the project.

Whilst targeted at capercaillie, in the long term, the project will also have a significant positive effect on the biodiversity within the Caledonian pinewood habitat benefitting a wide range of species. By improving the habitat to increase plant and animal biodiversity, the RSPB hope to improve the overall landscape and wildlife spectacle resulting in a more enjoyable visitor experience, encouraging more visitors and thereby improving the economic benefits of the local area.