And a grouse in a rowan tree

Yorkshire Dales Moorland Group

As the proverbial saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush. Arguably the reverse is true when it comes to spotting grouse perching in trees. Most grouse photographs tend to be of birds on the ground. This is hardly surprising when you consider the fact that these amazing birds spend most of their time foraging amongst heather, coarse grasslands and even on pasture land here in the Dales. However, red grouse will freely take advantage of autumn berries, leaves and buds particularly on hawthorn and rowan trees close to the moorland edge.

Black grouse are more associated with trees than red grouse indeed a significant and important proportion of the black grouse diet consists of tree buds, catkins, berries along with other food sources at ground level. Black grouse are fond of rowan, alder, willow, hawthorn and especially birch, the latter being high on the menu during colder months when the tree is producing male catkins.

Red and black grouse are thriving in the Yorkshire Dales due to the protection they receive from gamekeepers and associated moorland management. Where this combination of management and protection has been lost these inspirational birds have declined or gone extinct. Its hard to believe that until the early 19th century black grouse lived in almost every county of Britain. Thankfully keepering and game management are sustaining this mesmerising bird and preventing it from disappearing entirely. Please enjoy these lovely pictures.