Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2019

Total budget:

€139,189.12

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€82,800.00

The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) is a species in decline throughout Europe and in Spain it is considered in danger of extinction given the great decline that its population has suffered in the last 20 years. It is a large bird, with dimensions and weight greater than a domestic rooster. In the Pyrenees, the capercaillie is a species listed as vulnerable in the list of species under special protection (LESPRE). According to the entity, there is a lack of updated information on the situation of the capercaillie in the Pyrenees, especially in peripheral areas and/or with few specimens. For this reason, they propose the execution of direct actions on the ground to improve the habitat and reduce threats to the species. In addition, they stress the importance of raising awareness among mountain users.

The main objective of the project has been to confirm the demographic trend of the peripheral populations of the capercaillie in the Pyrenees through standardised and innovative methodologies. Also to address the population decline through comprehensive management of the species and its habitat, complementing public conservation strategies with private land stewardship initiatives. To this end, the following specific objectives have been established:

• To raise awareness among mountain users about the problem of capercaillie.
• To improve the existing information on capercaillie in Catalonia: populations of the species, distribution and habitat use.
• Promote systems for obtaining data on threatened alpine species.
  To this end, the project has sought to collect data on capercaillie, boreal owl and ptarmigan using traditional methodologies and at the same time using innovative technological elements.
• Improve the habitat of the capercaillie and reduce its threats.
• Reduce human disturbance on the capercaillie by regulating access to motorised vehicles and uses and activities in sensitive areas to ensure their tranquillity.
• Use land stewardship for capercaillie conservation: incorporate capercaillie into spatial planning tools and use stewardship agreements to involve landowners and municipalities in its conservation.

• To carry out a genetic study in peripheral populations of capercaillie in Catalonia.
• Marking and monitoring of three capercaillie/hens in peripheral populations using GPS.
• Search for new singing areas.
• To monitor the capercaillie’s singing and nesting areas.
• Track the Boreal Owl and Ptarmigan.
• To carry out a pilot test of population monitoring of three alpine species using automatic recorders.
• Carrying out silvicultural work to improve the forest structure in a pebble area.
• Removal or marking of livestock fences with a risk of collision with the capercaillie.
• Signalling of a power line that crosses an area with the presence of capercaillie.
• Construction of a fence to exclude herbivores.
• Closure of roads for vehicles.
• Modification of hiking trails.
• Promote the placement of fencing to prevent skiing in wintering areas.
• Establish custody agreements with landlords.
• Initiate contacts with administrations in the Pyrenees of Aragon and Navarre.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.

• It has been possible to improve the knowledge of the capercaillie, the ptarmigan and the little owl in the Catalan Pyrenees thanks to the application of new techniques and monitoring protocols.
• The first genetic study of capercaillie has been carried out in the Catalan Pyrenees with more than 800 samples collected and 150 analysed.
• Three capercaillie have been tagged with GPS devices to record their position twice a day for two years.
• More than 7,500 hours of sound have been recorded to detect the presence of capercaillie, ptarmigan and boreal owl.
• Conservation actions have been carried out on the ground to reduce the threats to some specific populations of capercaillie: livestock fences have been signposted, devices have been placed to view two power lines and a fence has been built to exclude wild ungulates, among others. The results obtained by traditional census methods and the conclusions were delivered to the Fauna and Flora Service of the Generalitat of Catalonia to study their incorporation into the official monitoring of the species.
• Various dissemination materials on the capercaillie have been produced, such as a travelling exhibition that has reached nearly 50,000 people.