Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatus
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Distribution Britain 544 (-27.0%) Ireland 29 (-17.1%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 8,000 Ireland 270 European status: 280,000 (3% in Britain and Ireland =8) British population trend: continuing serious declines How likely are you to record it? 45 squares (1.0%) Ranked 118= |
Ring Ouzels were widely distributed through upland areas of Britain and much of Ireland, but not Shetland or the Outer Hebrides, a hundred years ago. However a dramatic and progressive decline set in and the birds retreated to the remotest uplands. The retreat has been particularly marked in Ireland where there are now only three areas with more than four occupied 10-km squares in the latest Breeding Atlas (seven other records). In Scotland the birds have also been lost from many areas — including Orkney and Arran. In Wales the breeding population may number 300 to 400. The declines are blamed on forestry, disturbance by walkers, agricultural improvement and the Ring Ouzel losing out to Blackbird and Mistle Thrush established before the migrants return in spring. The net loss of 27% of occupied 10-km squares between the two Breeding Atlases is very worrying. Further losses seem inevitable.
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead