Flippin' lek! How to watch capercaillie without causing a disturbance
A male capercaillie displaying by Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
With the days lengthening and spring approaching it’s the time of year that capercaillie gather at their traditional lekking sites deep in the pinewoods, to go about their fascinating annual breeding displays. The birds gather at traditional ‘lek’ sites, where the males do combat for the chance to mate with the cryptically coloured hens. It’s tempting to get out and scour the woods for a glimpse of this elusive bird - especially as it’s now such a scarce species in Britain - but we urge you to think again.
Despite offering one of Scotland’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles, it’s worth remembering that capercaillie populations are perilously fragile and still decreasing in some areas. They are very sensitive to disturbance, both accidental and deliberate, and it’s believed that one of the drivers in their decline has been an increase in human activity in their breeding habitat. Recent research shows that capercaillie avoid areas of otherwise suitable habitat within 500m of forest car parks and access points, and 125m either side of regularly used paths. So, in short, capercaillie need quiet areas of woodland and don’t appreciate being disturbed, otherwise they will simply abandon areas of good habitat that are already in short supply.
As a species protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it’s an offence to disturb capercaillie during the breeding season, whether they are lekking, nesting or brood rearing. This also includes approachable “rogue males” and “tame hens”, which can display breeding behaviour at any time of year. Activities that cause disturbance to breeding capercaillie can only be carried out under a Scottish Natural Heritage Schedule 1 Licence. Because of this, a significant amount of effort is made every year by foresters and landowners who have to plan the timing of their management activities to avoid disturbance. We are grateful for their help and support. Recreational users of capercaillie habitat, whether they are dog-walkers, orienteers, bird watchers or photographers should also help and act equally responsibly.
Sadly, the capercaillie population in Scotland remains in trouble although there are some signs, particularly in Strathspey thanks to conservation efforts, that we may have turned the corner. Huge efforts are being made by a wide range of people to reduce human disturbance, a known problem for this fantastic species. We are appealing to birdwatchers and others wishing to see capercaillie to work with us on this matter and to attend organised capercaillie viewing at the Loch Garten Osprey Centre rather than seeking out the birds themselves.
RSPB Abernethy Forest reserve offers the opportunity to watch a capercaillie display ground or lek without causing any disturbance at Loch Garten Osprey Centre. Caper-Watch will run every morning from 1st April – 17th May, from 5.30am – 8am. There is no booking requirement or entry fee (though a donation would be appreciated to help pay for the staff time), and people can turn up at anytime during the opening hours. On busy days, a rota system operates to ensure everyone has the best chance to see some capers. With luck, it offers a good chance of seeing ‘the horse of the woods’ safe in the knowledge that you won’t be disturbing them. So, please don’t go into the woods cold searching for these rare, and extremely sensitive birds. The future of capercaillie in Britain depends on us all working to save them. Thank you!