Black grouse annual lek surveys in Argyll & Bute, 2002-2011
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Description
These data were collected to monitor population levels in the Argyll & Bute area as part of the Black Grouse Recovery Project.
Priority sites were identified for Black Grouse <I>Tetrao tetrix</I> conservation in the Argyll & Bute area. These priority sites were identified by surveying known (both historical and current) leks in Argyll & Bute between 2002 and 2011.
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The recovery project was funded by a partnership of Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Power and an award from the Esm饠Fairbairn Foundation. In 2008 additional survey work was organised and funded by RSPB. <br /><br />
Absence records are included, and denote areas that were surveyed where no black grouse were seen.
Geographic Description
All priority sites identified in 2002 in Argyll and Bute area were surveyed.
Purpose
These surveys were undertaken in order to establish the population size of Black Grouse in the Argyll & Bute area and to prioritise areas for black grouse conservation action in Argyll & Bute.
Data quality
These data have been gathered by trained field-workers and the data are of high quality.
Methods
<b>Surveying known lek sites</b> <br />
Lek surveys were undertaken in good visibility in dry and calm conditions following the methods of Hancock <I>et al</I> 1999. Two morning visits were made to each lek site wherever possible. One visit was undertaken in each half of the survey period, visit one between 21st March and 18th April and visit two between 19th April and 15th May. The maximum number of males at the lek site that occurred during the period one hour before and one hour after dawn were recorded. All males (whether displaying or not) were recorded. Birds displaying within 200m of a known lek were recorded as one lek. Single birds displaying within 500m of a known lek were recorded as one lek. Two or more birds that displayed over 200m from a known lek were record as separate leks. The maximum number of hens attending the lek were recorded. The 6 figure grid reference for the lek site (or 8 figure grid reference if known), the date of the survey and the survey start and finish time were recorded.<br /><br />
<b>Lek searches</b> <br />
A route was planned for the survey target area to take the surveyor within 500m of all suitable habitat once. The route was walked in the early mornings and evenings in addition to early morning listening from a good vantage point overlooking suitable habitat to detect leks. All leks located outwith the standard method time (i.e. outwith dawn survey period) were revisited and surveyed using the standard method. All routes were recorded on a 1.25000 map and submitted with the lek survey form.
In order to verify records and validate the dataset, the data have been mapped and thoroughly checked.
Citation
Please acknowledge RSPB, SNH, FCS and Scottish Power in any use of the data.
Rights
CC-BY
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