Ring Ouzels Spring 2005

The ring ouzel is probably one of our most distinctive upland birds but, unfortunately it has recently been added to the red list of birds of conservation concern. Probably due to its secretive habits, and its choice of habitats, comparatively little is known about its ecology.

With the agreement of the RSPB and United Utilities, myself and Keith Woods started a long-term monitoring programme of breeding ring ouzels on the United Utilities estate in 2004. The main aims are to establish accurate estimates of the breeding population from year to year, to monitor productivity and to individually colour ring the chicks.

14 territories were located in 2004, compared to approximately 30 territories during the late eighties and early ninties - mirroring the national 50% decline.

Compared to the few other studies on ring ouzels productivity figures were very similar, with the exception of the number of young fledged per successful nest. The Bowland figures were 3.25 young fledged, compared approximately 3.5 in other studies.

Only 11,782 ring ouzels have ever been ringed in this country, compared to nearly 1.7 million blackbirds. Not suprisingly, this has led to only 128 ring ouzel recoveries, though they have all been valuable. Colour ringing, however, enables observers to contribute sightings of birds without the need to capture the bird, potentially greatly adding to our knowledge of not just where the birds move to on migration, but also the routes they take, where they return to breed and, most importantly, how well they survive. One only has to look at how our knowledge of Twite movements has increased massively due colour ringing of birds here in Lancashire to undertsand the value that colour ringing can add.

If you are about in Bowland in spring, and are fortunate to see a ring ouzel,
please check its legs and make a note of the colours of any rings present: three on the left leg and one and a metal ring on the right leg.

I can be contacted on 01200 446425, 07968 129570 or pete.wilson@rspb.org.uk.

Pete Wilson