Huge boost for blackgrouse on MOD land.

The threatened blackgrouse population in Northumberland could be due for a change in fortune thanks to a new partnership between the Game Conservancy Trust and the Ministry of Defence, which is aiming to preserve wildlife and rare birds on the 1,458-acre Otterburn training area. Otterburn is the last remaining stronghold of blackgrouse in Northumberland, and it is hoped that the work carried out by the partnership will increase the breeding success of the birds, while also benefiting other birds such as lapwings and curlews.