Black Grouse "Arran"

Conservations have released nine Black Grouse into the wild in an attempt to re-establish the birds on the Isle of Arran. A total of 14 pairs were brought to the island in February. The female birds will be released after the males have had time to establish territories. The last sighting of a black grouse on the Scottish island was in 2000. The birds have been electronically tagged so that their movements can be tracked during the breeding season. Kate Sampson, a senior ranger for the National Trust for Scotland, said "We want the birds to get the best possible start in their new life on Arran, so we are taking all the steps we can to keep their stress levels to a minimum, it is important that they can be freed with as little fuss as possible" TheTamshee: approves of this worthy initiative - orchestrated by Arran Black Grouse Group, Arran Natural History Heritage and the National Trust for Scotland. Raise your glass "through the teeth an ur the gums, look out belly here she comes" nectar to those who like a dram!