Grouse Count Project
Annual grouse counts track the health of upland habitats, helping us understand and manage these fragile landscapes.
Monitoring the health of the uplands
Each year, the National Park Authority carries out red grouse counts across the uplands of Bannau Brycheiniog. The red grouse is an important indicator species as its numbers reflect the health of upland heath and peatland habitats. By tracking grouse populations, we gain vital insights into how well these fragile ecosystems are functioning and how management practices are affecting them.
Why red grouse matter
Red grouse are closely tied to heather moorland, a habitat that supports a wide range of other species including curlew, golden plover and snipe. Their presence, breeding success and survival rates give us a window into the condition of the uplands. If grouse numbers are strong, it suggests that heather and bog habitats are being managed in a way that supports biodiversity. If numbers decline, it can signal wider problems with habitat quality or climate impacts.
How the counts are carried out
Surveys are conducted in spring to measure overwinter survival and again later in the year to monitor breeding success. Staff, wardens and volunteers record sightings, calls and signs such as droppings while walking transects across key areas of the uplands. The data collected helps build a picture of population trends over time, and also provides information on other upland birds recorded during surveys, such as merlins, ravens and goshawks.
Informing conservation and management
The results of grouse counts are used to shape upland management, including heather restoration, peatland recovery and grazing levels. They also feed into wider monitoring programmes under the Nature Recovery Action Plan. By linking species monitoring with habitat restoration, the project ensures that conservation actions are guided by evidence.
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