We have been busy working on a large project in the South of Scotland aiming to improve habitats for Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) by establishment of patchy broadleaf woodland on the upper edges of large forest plantations. There is a strong landscape element to the work also, the aim being to ‘soften’ the hard edges of the plantations. It is quite an extensive survey we have been asked to do, and we have had to work hard to get round all the sites in the time available. There are some fairly obvious patterns of natural regeneration present, with much associated to soil type and proximity to seed sources, albeit the dispersal mechanisms for some isolated trees we come across remain a bit of a mystery at present. Common tree species we are encountering include Birch species (Betula) and Willows & Sallows (Salix). The Black grouse is a fascinating species and the subject of much conservation work at present in Scotland – read more about them here…
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackgrouse/index.aspx
