Viral load Social media putting rare species in danger

With its striking plumage, impressive size and rowdy displays, a capercaillie is many birders' dream. Only about 530 of the woodland grouse survive in the wild, most in Scotland's Cairngorms national park.

- Elle Hunt

But in recent years, those trying to save the species from extinction have had to walk a line between calling attention to the birds' plight and discouraging people from seeking them out.

Though it is illegal to disturb capercaillies during the breeding season from March to August, that has not deterred birders and nature photographers. Over the 2022 season, 17 people were found on or near the "lek", where male birds gather to compete for the attention of females, said Carolyn Robertson, the project manager of the Cairngorms Capercaillie Project.

A birdwatcher caught on camera flushing six capercaillies from the breeding site was arrested, but let go with a verbal warning.

Even fleeting disruption can "make the difference between birds breeding, or not", said Robertson.

"We know that it increases their stress levels, so there's a high chance they didn't come back to the area to breed that morning; they might not have returned for days."

With so few birds in the wild, human disturbance could be "catastrophic" for the species, Robertson said - but discouraging enthusiasts has proved challenging.