COUNTS OF MALE BLACK GROUSE TETRAO-TETRIX IN NORTH WALES

Attendance by male Black Grouse was studied at 4 leks in north Wales in spring 1987 and 1988. The number of males at individual leks varied depending on time of day and season. The highest counts were obtained in April and early May, 1 hr either side of sunrise. Counts were also made on 45 of the 91 recorded display sites in north Wales, mainly between 04.00-05.00 hours in May 1988 and the results compared with data collected in 1986. Twenty-nine per cent of sites had more males in 1988, 47% had fewer males and 24% were unchanged. Overall, numbers had apparently increased by 4% but this did not necessarily reflect changes in the population. Leks in forests had declined more than those on moorland. Recommendations are made for standardizing survey methodology and for monitoring Black Grouse populations in Wales.