Capercaillie Emergency Plan scientific advisory group meeting notes - August 2026

This document contains notes from a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group and Programme Board for the Capercaillie Emergency Plan. The group reviewed and largely agreed upon the Research and Monitoring Plan, which focuses on tracking productivity and aims for long-term population growth and range expansion, supported by an Integrated Population Model. Discussions also covered how to clearly communicate monitoring results, including plans for a productivity dashboard, and the decision to delay the National Capercaillie Survey until 2029/30 or 2030/31. Updates on the Emergency Plan's progress were shared, highlighting efforts like removing deer fences, cutting heather, providing diversionary feeding, developing habitat maps, and securing additional funding from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund. Actions were assigned to refine the plan, develop communication strategies, and further test the Integrated Population Model.