Black Grouse Return to the Moors

After nearly two centuries, the black grouse has made a remarkable return to the North York Moors, marking a significant milestone in British conservation.

 

Historically, these striking birds, known for their glossy plumage and elaborate courtship displays, were a common sight across the moorlands.

 

However, by the mid-19th century, habitat loss and changing land use had driven them to local extinction in the region.

 

In a concerted effort to reverse this decline, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) initiated a translocation project in late 2024.

 

Twenty black grouse—ten males and ten females—were carefully relocated from the North Pennines to the North York Moors.

 

These birds were fitted with radio transmitters to monitor their adaptation and movements in the new environment.

 

The results have been encouraging.

 

By the spring of 2025, the translocated males established leks—traditional display sites where they perform to attract females.

 

All seven monitored females nested, with five successfully hatching chicks.

 

In total, twelve chicks fledged, marking the first recorded breeding of black grouse in the area since the 1840s.

 

Dr. Phil Warren of the GWCT expressed optimism about the project's success, stating, "We are really pleased with the results from the first year of the project. The birds have settled well, established leks and, most importantly, bred successfully."

 

The success of this initiative is attributed to extensive habitat restoration efforts.

 

Land managers and gamekeepers collaborated to enhance the moorland fringe, removing conifer plantations and restoring native habitats such as bogs, heaths, and scrub woodlands.

 

These efforts have not only benefited black grouse but also other species like the curlew and ring ouzel, which share similar habitats.

 

Looking ahead, the GWCT plans to bolster the initial population with additional translocations in the coming autumn.

 

The goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of black grouse in the North York Moors, ensuring that these iconic birds remain a vibrant part of the moorland ecosystem for generations to come.

 

The return of the black grouse is more than just an ecological success; it symbolizes the resilience of nature and the positive impact of dedicated conservation efforts.

 

It serves as a reminder that, with time and care, species once thought lost can find their way back home.