Project Ptarmigan April – August 2006

Britain’s montane specialist

The Rock Ptarmigan, Britain’s only truly resident montane bird, is an arctic relic. Moulting three times a year to maintain year-round camouflage; white in winter against snow, grey in summer against lichen clad rocks and a pied mixture in spring when the ground is similarly patchy, the Ptarmigan is cleverly adapted for life on Scotland’s mountains.

Ptarmigan occur widely across the Scottish Highlands and also on a few islands of the Hebrides and Clyde. A sighting is often the highlight of a walk in the hills. BTO Scotland is keen to know if hill-users are encountering the birds as often as they used to. Worryingly, there is some anecdotal evidence that the bird’s range has contracted.

Monitoring mountain birds

It is becoming evermore important to understand Scotland’s mountains and their wildlife, as they face a variety of potential threats including increases in predators such as crows and, of course, climate change. Ptarmigan are thought to be sensitive to these changes. The birds will therefore act as a key indicator of the condition of our mountain habitats, which are recognised as a high priority under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

From April 2006, Project Ptarmigan, will gather information on Ptarmigan and other upland birds from hill walkers as they walk Scotland’s high tops. BTO Scotland will use the results to develop a strategy for long-term monitoring of Ptarmigan and other montane species. This should give a clearer picture of the condition of mountain areas as well as helping to unravel the effects of various threats on Scotland’s mountains and its wildlife.

How to take part

You do not need to be experienced in bird surveys, or a skilled birdwatcher to take part in Project Ptarmigan, as straightforward guidelines are being issued.

To download the instructions as a .pdf file click here, or as a MSWord document click here.

To download background information on Ptarmigan, their signs and confusion species click here.

To download a recording form as a .pdf file click here, or as a MSWord document click here.

To read the ‘BTO News’ article on Project Ptarmigan click here.

Completed forms can be emailed to or posted to BTO Scotland at:

Project Ptarmigan
BTO Scotland, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
University of Stirling
FK9 4LA
Telephone: 01786 466 560
E-mail:

Project Ptarmigan is run by BTO Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and has been supported by the Scottish Executive’s Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme, the AEB Trust and the Scottish Mountaineering Trust.