The Irish Government is spending an estimated €120,000 on a national red grouse bird survey which has gone out for tender.
According to the last field survey conducted in 2006/7 and 2007/8 the total population is estimated to be around 4,200 adults with the species being reduced by half over the last fifty years.
The red grouse is a heavy set bird with rounded body and wings, a short tail, small bill and sturdy feathered legs. It can be recognised by its distinctive call of loud nasal clacks and eats mostly heather, berries and insects.
Farmers and bog owners regularly see red grouse which is associated with heath and bog habitats. The previous survey found the largest concentration of red grouse found in Donegal.
Since the UK left the EU, the red grouse population resides entirely in Ireland. The red grouse is on the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland’s Red List due to the 50 per cent decline.
LSL News.