08/04/2025 World's End, Denbighshire, Wales

Black Grouse: Black grouse in Wales are primarily found in the upland areas of North and Mid-Wales, particularly in areas where habitat management and predator control have been implemented. One of the premier location is a stunning places called World’s End.

World’s End is a narrow vale located between Wrexham and Llangollen in Denbighshire, Wales and is a very popular destination with walkers and cyclists owing to its spectacular scenery and outstanding landscape.

While their numbers have declined in recent years, ongoing conservation efforts are helping to increase populations, especially in areas like Ruabon Mountain

Black Grouse are a lekking bird and they are very site faithful for their leks. Somewhere around 30 birds gather in what looks like a small disused quarry. 

The blackish blue males have distinctive red wattle over the eye and show a striking white stripe along each wing in flight. The black grouse can be seen throughout the year but are at their most flamboyant and noticeable during the lek.

The lek is when males visit a spot as a group, to display, in the hope of mating. The lek generally begins to heat up in early April, raising to its peak around early to mid-May when the females, known as Greyhens, decide to grace the lek with their presence to select their mate.

29/03/2014 Worlds End

Black Grouse: After a couple of quiet days birding I decided to make my own luck and started early at Worlds Ends famous Black Grouse lek.

I've never witnessed the lek here and I was not disappointed.

I counted 17 males however there could have been more lurking behind the grasses and heather. When we arrived these male birds were happily strutting their stuff at around 150 yards away. 

150 yards is good, but 10 meters is much better, I think we got lucky as one individual flew away from the main lek and started displaying almost right in front of the car, only one word AWESOME!