Black grouse lek surveys in the Scottish Borders, 2010-2011

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Description

Black Grouse numbers in south east Scotland fell by 69% between 1995/6 and 2005. This survey was designed to provide lek distribution, and a count of lekking birds, expanding on the areas covered by smaller surveys in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This dataset contains all the positive records, some of which are multiple counts of the same birds. Hence, the sum of birds in this dataset does not match with the reported total of 230 leking males. Some data are omitted due to a confidentiality agreement with the land owner. The survey was conducted by the Southern Upland Partnership, which is supported by SNH, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Leader, and the RSPB.

Geographic Description

Throughout Lothian and Borders, places known historically for leking black grouse were surveyed. Black grouse sightings are reported at 100m resolution

Data quality

These data have been gathered by trained field-workers and the data are of a high quality. These data have been mapped and checked for sensitivities and typographical/geographical errors

Methods

Survey work was carried out according to recognised methodology for the species (Sim <i>et al</i>, Bird Study, 2008, 55, 304-313) and data were recorded on standard field sheets. The survey was carried out between 15th March and the 14th May. The majority of sites which were thought to contain birds were visited at least twice.

Citation

Please acknowledge the Southern Upland Partnership in any use of the data

Rights

CC-BY

Digitised records