Grouse counting is underway on Scotland’s sporting estates in preparation for the Glorious Twelfth.
It is feared that the first brood of chicks may have been affected by the late April snow and colder spring months this year.
The long winter and wet summer months meant breeding conditions were less favourable on many estates.
However, gamekeepers are quietly optimistic for a good season ahead.
The annual count, which is undertaken before the start of the shooting season on August 12, is an essential means to gain an understanding of an estate’s harvestable surplus.
Counts also help determine the age, size, number and location of birds – all of which are fundamental elements to allow accurate planning for an estate’s shooting programme.
One gamekeeper who has recently conducted a grouse count is Rab MacVarrie, head gamekeeper at Corriegarth Estate, which is part of the Loch Ness Rural Communities group.
He said: “The start of the grouse shooting season is the pinnacle in the calendar for sporting enthusiasts and for the many workers involved in the sector it marks the culmination of our year-round management and efforts required to ensure a successful season.
“If counts are low then there will be no shooting, however the investment in wages and skilled land management continues regardless.
Mr MacVarrie added that numbers looked good, but said they had seen a lot of younger birds, which were possibly the second brood of chicks as a consequence of the first brood being affected by the weather.
He said: “This is not an unusual occurrence and we expect a slower start in our region, but remain hopeful for a successful season as a whole.”
Robert Rattray, who is head of leading Scottish sporting agency Sporting Lets, said: “We are now hearing of a few moors adjusting their programmes for a later start, possibly the result of the end of April snow leading to reliance on second broods, but in general we are optimistic for a good season ahead.”
