The Ptarmy Army needs YOU!

Have you seen a Ptarmigan recently? They’re now changing into their white winter plumage, and some might be worth a closer look. An increasing number are sporting rings fitted by volunteers from Tay and Grampian Ringing Groups, working under permits issued by the British Trust for Ornithology (or BTO).

Although we know a little about the distribution and numbers of Scottish Rock Ptarmigan (Tàrmachan in Scots Gaelic, and Lagopus muta to give them their scientific name), much remains unknown about their movements, survival and how often they travel between our mountain tops. As they are pretty well tied to montane habitats above around 600m they effectively occupy scattered ‘sky islands’ across Scotland.

The story so far...

The project began on Schiehallion in autumn 2023, when volunteers from Tay Ringing Group caught and fitted a BTO ring to the first Ptarmigan in Scotland for over 35 years. Initially, the birds were fitted with small, individually numbered metal BTO rings, but the project has now progressed to fitting colour rings that can be recognised without recapturing the birds. These rings are black with two white letters, which should be visible in photographs or through binoculars, or perhaps even with the naked eye given how confiding Ptarmigan can sometimes be.

So far, Ptarmigan have been caught and ringed on Schiehallion, around Glenshee, on Lochnagar, and in small numbers at a handful of other sites. Photographs shared on social media and in both birding and mountaineering forums have already shown birds carrying metal BTO rings. With colour-ringing now underway, we’re hoping that sightings from hillwalkers and mountaineers will help us begin to understand where these birds go and how long they survive.

How you can help

If you see a ringed Ptarmigan, we’d love to hear about it! Please record the date, location (ideally a six figure grid reference) and any visible letters on the ring. Photographs are particularly valuable, even if the code cannot be read. Please observe birds from a distance and avoid disturbing them, especially in the breeding season from March through to August. Sightings can be reported directly to the Ptarmy Army by email.

Thanks for your help!