By Kathy Fletcher, Felix Meister & Phil Warren
In March and early April, GWCT staff (from both our Research and Advisory teams) carried out our 2026 spring red grouse counts across northern England and Scotland. Wintry conditions and logistic challenges made getting around sites difficult, but we managed 42 of our usual 52 core counts.
This year’s spring pair count suggests that pre-breeding densities are similar to last spring in Scotland, but slightly higher in northern England (Figure 1). The average density across our long-term sites in England in 2026 was 88 birds/km2 which is 17% higher than 75 birds/km2 recorded in 2025. In Scotland, the average was 25 birds/km2 compared to 27 birds/km2 last spring (7% lower).
Figure 1: Red Grouse spring counts 1990-2026 in England (15-60 counts) and Scotland (16-27 counts).
Looking at regions and comparing count data for sites that were counted in both 2025 and 2026 shows differences of more than 10% across the northern Dales, Scottish Borders & Perthshire, Deeside & Donside, and Moray & Nairn (Table 1). With other regions showing little or no difference.
| Spring density (birds / km2) | Difference | ||
| English Regions: | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Southern Dales & Peak District | 83 | 82 | -1% |
| North York Moors | 99 | 93 | -6% |
| Northern Dales | 78 | 88 | 13% |
| Scottish Regions: | |||
| Scottish Borders & Perthshire | 31 | 38 | 22% |
| Deeside & Donside | 11 | 17 | 57% |
| Highland | 16 | 15 | -7% |
| Moray & Nairn | 23 | 20 | -11% |
The very low breeding success of 2024, and its repercussions in the spring of 2025 which, for some sites, appear to be continuing into 2026, highlight the need to better understand the contemporary drivers of grouse population dynamics. To this end, the GWCT is currently working on two major projects investigating these drivers: the Maternal Grouse Project is a large scale replicated study that involves comprehensive monitoring of grouse hens through the breeding season, and the Long-Term Grouse Count Analysis, which will provide detailed statistical analysis of our long-term datasets.
This GWCT research is even more valuable now that Scottish Government data reveal a worrying 50% drop in the Mountain Hare population between 2018 and 2023 which coincides with the start of the last 8 years of poor breeding success of Red Grouse. Black Grouse and waders seem to have been more successful, but they use lower ground such as rough grazings. The Maternal Grouse Project involves deep investigation of nutrition and other factors that may be relevant on the higher heather moorland.
Historically, Red Grouse have been through population cycles with a recent high period from 2010 to 2017. So it would be useful to research the causes of high productivity too, which management might be able to enhance.
Interesting read I have been trying to hunt Red Grouse in Scotland now for over 10 years. I live in the USA and hunt wild pheasant and sharp tail grouse behind a dog.
In the UK you call it rough hunting. In 2016 west of Aberdeen Scotland I contacted a provider for a two-day hunt behind dogs for red grouse. He was very honest with me as the population in that area was poor, I chose not to go for that reason.
I will not hunt on birds that are low in numbers and put pressure on same.
It has been that way in that are for years of course my deposit was returned. What I have discovered unless you want to be on a peg and shoot driven birds there are no opportunities for the type of hunting I do and would like to do in Scotland. I can always hope that Red Grouse numbers will improve so I may participate in that sport within my described parameters. All the best with your study.
Regards
Tim Adderson
Port Ludlow WA USA
Please can you tell me the methodology of your counts.
Are they block counts or pointer / setter working a historical line.
The Highland results are particularly shocking and are leading to grouse moors being sold into un-keepered carbon credit use, which will only accelerate issues with vermin control for neighbouring estates
Are there any correlations with predator numbers, ticks or other parasites?