The numbers of one of Scotland's rarest birds have increased "dramatically", forest managers have revealed.

Latest estimates put the capercaillie population in the National Forest Estate in Strathspey at around 200 after it was as low as six 15 years ago.

Forest Enterprise Scotland, which is responsible for the area in the Cairngorms, said the rise was the result of its programme to manage timber production.

Capercaillie have been given "red list" status by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds because of the severe decline in their population in recent years.

Kenny Kortland, species ecologist with Forest Enterprise Scotland, said: "We have carried out ongoing research and this has shown that our forest management creates ideal habitat for the capercaillie.

"These efforts appear to be working because the birds have shown a spectacular increase. In our view, this clearly indicates that caper can prosper in well managed, working forests.

"The key seems to be that thinning the forest to extract timber creates ideal habitat for capercaillie chicks, because breeding success has been high by contemporary standards."

Mr Kortland also said the woodland grouse's rise in the region at time when its potential predators are on the increase is likely down to potential hunters "controlling each other".