Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix)
Did you Know?
Black grouse were once widespread in the Forest of Bowland, connected with a larger population in the Yorkshire Dales, but by the mid-1990s they were considered locally extinct. Today, sightings of single birds in the area are occasionally reported, but no leks have been re-established. They thrive in areas with a mosaic of heather moorland, in-bye and woodland or scattered tree habitats. National projects have been supporting their recovery, with numbers increasing or stable in the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales over recent years. In 2019, the Bowland Fells were identified as an area to promote expansion of black grouse through continuing habitat enhancement on moorland fringe via agri-environment Forest of Bowland Nature Recovery Plan December 2023 53 schemes. The restoration of this mosaic of habitats could support species translocation before 2030.
Fun Fact:
They have lyre-shaped tails and white wing bars. Males are mainly black in colour whereas females tend to be a mottled brown colour which makes them more difficult to spot when in their natural habitat.
Identification & Voice:
The all-black males have distinctive red wattle over the eye and show a striking white stripe along each wing in flight. They have a lyre-shaped tail which is fanned out and raised to show white under-tail feathers when displaying. The smaller grey-brown females have a slightly notched tail.