BLACK grouse numbers are taking off where land management agreements are operating.

Numbers were declining faster than all but one other bird species in England, but there are now signs of recovery in the North Pennines.

At the last count, 800 males were recorded in the area stretching from Wensleydale to the A69 between Carlisle and Newcastle.

However, on ten sites which have specific management agreements for black grouse, numbers have risen by an average 7pc a year for the past four years.

Mr John Calladine, of the Black Grouse Recovery Project, is delighted with the result.

"It's even better when you compare it with some continued decline at sites without specific management over the same period," he said.

"I see agri-environment schemes such as stewardship as playing a key role in reversing the decline of black grouse.

"I look forward to seeing how the birds respond to the many new agreements in the region."

Management options available through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to benefit the birds include upland grazing agreements for heather regeneration and rough grazing.

The establishment and management of small woodlands and drain-blocking to enhance mires also help.

Black grouse need a variety of habitats to live in, including heather.

Control of predators such as foxes and crows is also important .

Countryside Stewardship offers payments to farmers and land managers to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside under ten year agreements, which started on Sunday.

Mr Elliot Morley, countryside minister, recently announced that a record 3,500 applications had been received by the May 31 deadline.

The government has increased the scheme's budget from £13m in 1997 to an estimated £126m by 2006.

"Stewardship has always been a popular and heavily oversubscribed scheme," said Mr Morley.

"In the past we have had to reject considerable numbers of worthwhile applications, simply on the grounds of not having enough money.

"This year we should, however, be able to accept more than double the number of agreements in 1999."

The extra funding should allow about 3,000 new agreements to be approved this year, compared with 1,300 last year.

Mr Morley paid tribute to the overwhelming commitment to stewardship and conservation by the farming community, even in today's difficult times.

He also thanked MAFF staff and those from the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency for processing all the applications