In partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority as part of the Capercaillie Emergency Plan, Rothiemurchus has expanded its forest grazing and is currently running 50 head of cattle across two projects, with support from Scottish Forestry and NatureScot.

 

The first project is in its third year, with 20 cows and their calves grazing in the forest.  We are seeing visible habitat changes, with rank heather being broken down to allow young growth to appear.

There are also encouraging signs that habitat changes we are seeing is benefitting capercaillie, with a capercaillie lek returning to this area of the forest for the first time in several years.

In the second project, which is in its first year, we are working across landholdings in conjunction with Forestry and Land Scotland and also with support from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Scottish Forestry and NatureScot.  Before the cattle moved in, we surveyed the woodland to create a baseline. By repeating these surveys over time, we’ll be able to see how the habitat changes as a result of grazing and how wildlife responds.

Peter Ferguson, Biodiversity Manager at Rotheimurchus, said: “It’s exciting to see the visible change in the habitat and an increase in signs that capercaillie are favouring the area grazed by cattle.”

Grant Mackenzie, farm manager at Rothiemurchus, said: “We have chosen native breed cattle such as Aberdeen Angus to graze in the forest as they seem to maintain their condition in the forest and are enjoying the freedom.”

Ross Watson, Regional Environment Advisor for Forestry and Land Scotland in the North region said: The cattle grazing between FLS and Rothiemurchus Estate are already having a positive impact, creating diversity in the structure of the vegetation that will hopefully benefit capercaillie and a range of other species. We are very grateful to Rothiemurchus Estate for their expertise and, of course, their cattle.

Carolyn Robertson, Cairngorms Nature Manager at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “Woodland grazing is an important part of the Capercaillie Emergency Plan, helping create better habitat for capercaillie and other species. This project is a great example of partners working together across landholdings, with support from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund helping us expand woodland grazing across the National Park.”

See previous news on this project here.