Capercaillie Emergency Plan scientific advisory group meeting notes - July 2025

This document contains a meeting note from the Scientific Advisory Group regarding the Capercaillie Emergency Plan, held on 31 July at the Park Authority office. Attendees included scientists and managers from various organizations such as Forest Research, the Park Authority, NatureScot, and universities. The meeting covered the group's terms of reference, emphasizing the importance of focusing on measuring the impact of the Capercaillie Emergency Plan and informing adaptive management, while managing stakeholder queries. Discussions also covered a research and monitoring plan, highlighting the need for land manager engagement and data sharing, and the use of the Capercaillie Integrated Population Model to strengthen data collection and guide conservation efforts. Finally, there was an update on research actions in the Emergency Plan, focusing on pine marten populations, genetic lek surveys, and the feasibility of reinforcing the capercaillie population. The next meeting is scheduled for 23 September to discuss CaperMap and the Integrated Population Model.