Wildlife

Willow Grouse (Ptarmigan) Welfare and Upland Climate Change

Ptarmigan are cold-adapted upland specialists whose welfare is increasingly threatened by climate change compressing their alpine habitat range.

Key Facts

UK ptarmigan population estimated at 5,000-10,000 birds, confined to Scottish Highlands
Undergo seasonal moult to white winter plumage for camouflage against snow
Require montane heath and fell fields above 700 metres altitude
Climate change is reducing snow cover duration, disrupting camouflage timing
Surveys show significant upward shift and range contraction since the 1990s

Welfare Considerations

Ptarmigan welfare is directly impacted by climate change — birds that moult to white winter plumage before snow arrives become more visible to predators, experiencing higher predation stress and mortality. Range contraction to higher elevations creates more fragmented, smaller populations. Food availability in early spring is affected by snowmelt timing. For a cold-adapted species at the southern range edge, warming represents an existential welfare challenge.

What You Can Do

Support climate change mitigation as the primary intervention for ptarmigan welfare
Avoid disturbance on high mountain plateaux during breeding season
Contribute to ptarmigan monitoring surveys in the Scottish Highlands
Support research into ptarmigan population response to climate change
Advocate for upland habitat protection as part of climate adaptation policy