Black grouse chicks hatch in North York Moors after nearly 200-year absence
In a remarkable conservation achievement, black grouse have successfully hatched chicks in North York Moors after a long absence of 200 years. In 2024, 20 black grouse were moved from North Pennines as part of a dedicated effort that includes habitat restoration and management of predators. Reports indicate a notable rise in the number of displaying males, with plans for further translocations…
After a 200-year hiatus, black grouse have successfully returned to the North York Moors. The British conservation effort achieved a significant milestone, as 12 chicks fledged from the area this spring. The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) led the Black Grouse Range Expansion Project, transplanting 20 birds from the North Pennines to the North York Moors in autumn 2024.
Researchers fitted 16 of the translocated birds with radio tags to monitor their survival and movements. By spring, all seven males that remained established traditional display grounds called leks, crucial for the species' breeding cycle. The seven females that remained also attempted to breed, resulting in five successful nestings with 12 chicks hatched.
The project's success relies on suitable habitats, combining moorland and farmland, and cooperative management between landowners. Black grouse are now classified as Red List species due to their declining population. The GWCT reports a 61% increase in displaying males across 18 monitored estates within a year, indicating a promising future for the species in the North York Moors.
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