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If you live in the Borders and don’t mind getting up early in the morning, then here’s an inspiring project that would really welcome your help


Black watch


The sight and sound of black grouse in the hills is an experience you’re unlikely ever to forget. Indeed, the black grouse ‘lek’ – where males display in order to attract a mate – is regarded as one of the great showpieces of birdwatching theatre.


However, the black grouse is also one of the fastest declining birds in the UK. It was once widespread across the country, but there’s been a serious decline in numbers over recent decades and populations have become fragmented. The species is now mostly confined to parts of the Scottish uplands, with only a few surviving strongholds in areas ofWales and the north of England. Since 2004, the Southern Uplands Partnership have been working to increase


black grouse numbers in the central Scottish Borders. Recently, SNH, RSPB and the Scottish Borders LEADER programme came up with the funding to employ a project officer. Chris Land works with other organisations and land managers to raise awareness of the problems that black grouse face and to improve conditions for them.


52 The Nature of Scotland


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