Black grouse lek survey in Lothian and Borders, 2008

doi:10.15468/guihbb

Black grouse lek survey in Lothian and Borders, 2008

Citation

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2022). Black grouse lek survey in Lothian and Borders, 2008. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/guihbb accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-11.

Description

Black Grouse numbers in south-east Scotland fell by 69% between 1995/6 and 2005. In 2006-07, lek surveys were undertaken by the Southern Uplands Partnership, in an area occupying a rough triangle with Peebles, Selkirk and Moffat at its respective corners. This was considered to be the species local stronghold and the population here showed an apparent increase of 19% between the two years. In the spring of 2008, RSPB fieldworkers carried out a lek survey across 33 5km x 5km squares, chosen on the basis of historical records reported in The Breeding Birds of Southeast Scotland, 1988-94 (Murray et al 1998). These squares were outwith the core area surveyed by SUP in 2006/7, although one existing lek was checked here, and two new ones were discovered on its edge. In total, 18 leks were found comprising 1-7 Blackcock (mean = 2.7) and totalling 46 birds.

Purpose

Sampling Description

Quality Control

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

Method steps

Lek surveys were undertaken in good visibility in dry and calm conditions following the methods of Hancock et al 1999. At least one visit was made to each lek site during March to May. The maximum number of males at the lek site during the period one hour before and one hour after dawn were recorded. Birds displaying within 200m of a known lek were recorded as one lek. Single birds displaying within 500m of a known lek were recorded as one lek. Two or more birds that displayed over 200m from a known lek were record as separate leks.

Taxonomic Coverages

Geographic Coverages

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

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

originator
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

metadata author
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

distributor
NBN Atlas
27 Old Gloucester St, Holborn
London
WC1N 3AX
London
GB
email: admin@nbnatlas.org

Conservation Data Management Unit
administrative point of contact
email: dataunit@rspb.org.uk