The capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds, shows signs of recovery. At RSPB Abernethy in the Scottish Highlands, male capercaillie numbers rose by 50%, from 20 in 2020 to 30 in 2025. This is a boost for the “horse of the woods,” whose wild population has dropped to only 532, the lowest in over 30 years since surveys began. Back in the 1970s, there were more than 20,000 capercaillie in the wild. These birds gather at lekking sites in spring, where males perform dramatic “flutter jumps” and make popping sounds to attract females. Their decline is linked to wetter weather, habitat loss, increased egg predation, collisions with deer fences, human disturbance, and even social media impact. Low genetic diversity may also hurt their survival. At RSPB Abernethy, conservationists are using smart methods to help. They trialled a remote-controlled mower to trim dominant heather, encouraging blaeberry growth, an important food for capercaillie and their chicks. The mower also clears bare ground where chicks stay warm after rain. Virtual fence collars on cattle allow controlled grazing without harming birds or needing risky fencing. Abernethy hosts over 20% of Scotland’s 143 lekking males counted in 2025. Richard Mason, conservation manager, said, "The increase in the number of lekking male capercaillie is thanks to the huge amount of work we are undertaking to improve habitat quality. The combination of cutting and extensive cattle grazing has dramatically improved conditions in the forest. We are seeing many chicks reaching full size and whilst the future of capercaillie remains in the balance, we are hopeful that these techniques can support their recovery in Scotland." He emphasized that more work is needed across Scotland to protect this unique bird. Other forests like Strathspey also saw rises in male capercaillie numbers in 2023, signaling hope for their wider comeback.