Protecting The Black Grouse / Tetras-Lyre

This rare and protected ground-dwelling bird that inhabits forests and alpine meadowland, usually from 1600-2300m. They have a particular liking for calm solitude. During the winter, they dig into the snow to find shelter and warmth, only coming out for a few hours to feed. However, their habitat is threatened by FreeRiders in search of fresh lines. Riders disturb the birds, which causes them to abandon their nests. It’s for this reason that there are several roped off sites within the Courchevel ski area, all of which are well signed with yellow flags hanging from the rope every few metres, they are closed to FreeRiders or any other visitors.

For reference, the male is roughly the size of a domestic chicken, has black feathers with flecks of blue and a lyre-shaped tail as well as distinctive thick red ‘eyebrows’. The female is smaller and has a brown and black speckled plumage.

Protecting the Tetras Lyre is not only about preserving a single species but preserving the entire alpine ecosystem that benefits all species, including ourselves.