A rare Scottish bird is in jeopardy, the report states, because Britain is not doing enough to protect it. The Commission is also questioning whether conservation areas set aside for the bird are adequate.
Scientists blame poor weather for a reduction in the bird's supply of plant food.
Robert Moss, a former senior scientist at the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in Banchory, Scotland, said the six special protection areas, covering a few thousand hectares, must be expanded tenfold. But the SNH says that it is committed to protecting the capercaillie, adding that its work was based on sound scientific principles. Archives - Archives of past weeks' Daily Selected News Stories. All Rights Reserved. All other copyrights remain property of their respective owners.