Unfortunately only a few of the imposing birds still live in the Black Forest
Although the capercaillies, currently numbering only around 200 in the Black Forest, are merely "secret" and unofficial heraldic animals, they don't quite enjoy the same level of recognition as the Berlin bear, the Munich lion, or the Lower Saxon horse. These birds, characteristically dark brown to gray with a metallic green sheen, are depicted in stylized form on the coats of arms of the northern Black Forest district of Freudenstadt, the municipality of Seefeld, and the municipality of Simmersfeld in the Calw district . Nevertheless, these largest grouse birds in Europe, known for their extreme shyness, their habitat in pristine mountain forests, and their critically endangered status, have long been part of the classic Black Forest myth of a largely idyllic and unspoiled natural environment.
There is still enough space and time to protect the capercaillie in the Black Forest
Deviating from this benevolent, if not true to the facts, transfiguration, the fact that, despite intensive efforts to protect the population, has been declining for years, is still fundamentally endangered, especially by the region's most important economic branch, tourism.
Dedicated conservationists, such as those from the " Action Plan for the Capercaillie, " an organization founded in 2008 by the state of Baden-Württemberg, therefore point out that the old-growth forest areas with sufficient deadwood, which are essential for the species' survival, must be protected from tourism-related damage and disturbance. This means that year-round, extensive tourist use of the Black Forest, for example by paragliders, skiers, and hikers, is fundamentally possible.
The resting areas, which are absolutely necessary for capercaillies, must not be further impaired by regional re-designations and new developments as well as major seasonal events.
If the cold is already bothering the animals, humans shouldn't also be a nuisance
According to the latest scientific findings, the capercaillie is particularly vulnerable and sensitive in winter, when the food supply is scarce and the animals are mostly in remote and difficult-to-access hiding places in order to save as much energy as possible. Researchers therefore urge that the previously existing winter sports areas in the Black Forest should not be spatially expanded and that awareness and understanding should be raised among skiers on the basis of appropriately designed awareness-raising and educational campaigns. Certainly many active vacationers find particularly little-used and scenic ski routes particularly tempting, but often it is precisely these that lead through the habitats that are rarely left to the wood grouse in the cold season.
Theme trail to the Auerhahn am Kaltenbronn
A themed trail for children was established in Kaltenbronn in the Northern Black Forest in 2019. The Capercaillie Trail (Auerhahnsteig) provides hikers with interesting facts about the capercaillie and its habitat along a 2,4 km route.
Blueberries are tasty, but far more important to wood grouse than to us
Appropriate attention and consideration for the biological and natural demands and needs of the endangered capercaillie in the Black Forest should of course also be a matter of course for guests and visitors to the area during the rest of the year.
The high moor and heather areas in the Black Forest, which are also severely impaired by human use in many places and are therefore endangered, play a decisive role here, the blueberry fields of which are one of the most important food sources for birds in spring and summer.
Capercaillies eat leaves and buds as well as fruits of the plant, which is rich in vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium and which also ensures the survival of some rare species of moths, butterflies and foxes.
During courtship and mating, wood grouse and wood grouse need a lot of space and rest
Such open spaces, which have now become rather rare in the Black Forest, are also of particular importance for the mating season of the capercaillie between March and the beginning of June. Since the roosters, after their typical courtship dance and singing on promising and strategically located trees, always compete for the female (s) on a stock gap on the ground and the chickens are extremely susceptible to failure, hikers and mountain bikers, for example, can quickly complete this fragile ritual put an end to it.
For reasons of physical integrity, a sufficiently large distance from the courting animals is recommended. The testosterone level of the cocks, which rises to a hundred times the normal values, can make them extremely aggressive and even attack people, which, however, only happens very rarely.
In the Black Forest National Park, capercaillies are now finding new habitats again
Fortunately, several successful measures to improve and protect the capercaillie's habitat in the Black Forest have been implemented in recent years as part of the aforementioned "Capercaillie Action Plan." Particularly noteworthy are the ambitious efforts to expand open areas and promote pine forests in the higher elevations of the Rastatt district . Around Kaltenbronn (Gernsbach-Reichental), Forbach (Baden), and Loffenau, as well as Bermersbach, Bühlertal , Bühl, Ottersweier, and in the Weisenbach Forest, over 500 hectares have been managed to provide suitable habitat for capercaillies.
The same applies to the area around the 1.038 meter high Hochkopf mountain in the Bühlertal nature reserve not far from the Black Forest High Road. The popular ski areas at Hundseck and Unterstmatt are also in the immediate vicinity.
Modern winter sports enthusiasts show due respect to fauna and flora
Detailed information and fascinating facts about capercaillie and other animal and plant species of the Black Forest can be found at the Ruhestein Nature Conservation Center near Seebach and Baiersbronn. The neighboring ski resort of the same name currently offers two lifts and one kilometer of slopes. Other ski resorts located in the Northern Black Forest and near the aforementioned protected areas include:
