There's no silver bullet for grouse

More and better research is crucial if we are to clearly understand the many and interlinked factors limiting red grouse recovery on our moors, says the GWCT's Dr Nick Hesford

- Dr Nick Hesford

WHEN GROUSE stocks are low, we often look for the single, most obvious cause, such as high parasite burdens, louping ill virus (LIV) or poor weather. But in reality, the recent declines in grouse numbers result from a complex interplay of factors that aren't clearly understood. This is why more research is essential.

Our 2025 spring pair counts across England and Scotland showed a 35% decline in red grouse numbers across our annual monitoring sites. This reflects the impact of the poor 2024 breeding season and highlights the challenges faced. For some regions these low numbers reflect a longer-term decline with consistently low grouse stocks. It is clear that a better understanding of the factors limiting red grouse recovery is needed. The GWCT’s new uplands research programme is designed to reflect the most important areas of study.