Photography of Black Grouse at Stockiemuir Lek (1 Viewer)

[If These Trees Could Talk]

Hi folks,

Here's a release from various organisations re disturbance of black grouse at Stockiemuir.

Neil

 

[allanpcameron]

I've always stood beside the car at the "car park" and watched/photographed from across the road. Have people been bringing their own hides? It seems to suggest there is a hide near the lek. I've never noticed it.

 

[Matthebirder]

Now that the site is publically being discussed (I'm not questioning the ethics of this) are the grouse regularly seen from the road/carpark. I don't know the site but will be making a brief trip around central Scotland in a week or so and would like to see Black Grouse , not having seen any since the early 90's in Staffordshire.
Thanks for any advice.
Matthew

 

[bongofury]

Yes, they are easily seen from the small parking area opposite the lek, particularly early morning. Superb views are easy with a scope and there really is no need to leave the car park.

I was there a couple of weekends ago and a hide had been set up on the lek. I don't know if the hide had been set up pre-light and how much disturbance was caused, but while I was there, 2 Danish guys arrived, who claimed to be the landowners. They were pleased we were observing from the road but equally concerned about the hide.

Afterwards, the hide was reported to the County Recorder and RSPB Scotland. Presumably this may have played a part in the recently issued notice. Perhaps the notice should be displayed prominently at the car park (if it hasn't already?)

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

We've been part of running a Black Grouse lek photography hide for over five years and the number of grouse at the lek has gone up steadily from ten or so birds to nearly twenty on some days.

We took guidance on what to do;

- use a temporary hide
- guests must enter the hide the night before
- must stay in the hide at all costs
- must wait for notice before leaving the hide

Given the above there has been minimal disturbance over several years, and Grouse regularly sit on the hide itself.

Recently a number of others have set up taking photographers into the hide just before sunrise. Whilst this is more comfortable (a night in a hide is less preferable), experience suggests this does has impact on the birds.

 

[JTweedie]

Perhaps some guided visits could be arranged, organised by the SOC, RSPB or SWT, like happens in other parts of the country?

 

[Matthebirder]

Thanks for info, I won't be bringing my tent, car sounds more comfortable.
M

 

[jpoyner]

We've been part of running a Black Grouse lek photography hide for over five years and the number of grouse at the lek has gone up steadily from ten or so birds to nearly twenty on some days.

We took guidance on what to do;

- use a temporary hide
- guests must enter the hide the night before
- must stay in the hide at all costs
- must wait for notice before leaving the hide

Given the above there has been minimal disturbance over several years, and Grouse regularly sit on the hide itself.

Recently a number of others have set up taking photographers into the hide just before sunrise. Whilst this is more comfortable (a night in a hide is less preferable), experience suggests this does has impact on the birds.

Good example of photography being done responsibly and at no cost to the birds. Going in the night before is a good point...the Grouse usually come in to the lekking area at dusk....

Pity the two idiots I spotted (from my vehicle on the road) trying to stalk a lekking male Caper on foot through the forest the other morning can't do same. Likewise the numerous others who have been ignoring a screen put up by the RSPB to watch grouse locally and are stomping off across the moor for their own selfish attempts at getting a better view. Sadly these few are spoiling it for everyone else, not to mention the harm they may be causing to the birds....as usual.

 

[DMKSlater]

Agree John, at our local lek folk are now taking to walking to down the path away from the screens, I stopped a few folk last weekend from taking that route, most folk ingnored me though.

I can see this lek being put "off limits" in future seasons, or perhaps it need to be monitored by volunteers. Blooming annoying though.

 

[jpoyner]

Agree John, at our local lek folk are now taking to walking to down the path away from the screens, I stopped a few folk last weekend from taking that route, most folk ingnored me though.

I can see this lek being put "off limits" in future seasons, or perhaps it need to be monitored by volunteers. Blooming annoying though.

Yep, I have been hearing a lot of complaints from birders saying same, that folk were just wandering about all over the place rather than keeping to the screen and the lek was being flushed. I guess it being off limits is a possibility now...it's a private road and there is no claim of "right to roam" if in doing so it means disturbance to Wildlife under the Scottish Access Code.