Wild Birds

Ring Ouzel Welfare and Upland Decline

The ring ouzel is the mountain blackbird of the British uplands, a summer migrant that has declined steeply as its moorland and mountain breeding habitats have been affected by overgrazing, climate change, and changes in land management.

Key Facts

UK ring ouzel numbers declined by around 50% between 1988 and 2012
Males are blackbird-like with a distinctive white crescent on the breast; females are browner with a less distinct crescent
They breed on upland moorland, rocky slopes, and mountain cliffs across Scotland, northern England, and Wales
Ring ouzels winter in North Africa and the Atlas Mountains, migrating through southern Europe
They feed on earthworms and invertebrates in upland grassland and on berries in autumn

Welfare Considerations

Ring ouzel welfare is threatened by overgrazing that eliminates the mosaic of grassland, heather, and bilberry habitat needed for breeding and chick rearing. Climate change is shifting suitable breeding habitat to higher elevations where it runs out of space at mountain summits. Changes in timing of spring vegetation emergence affect invertebrate availability for chick rearing. The isolation of upland populations makes demographic recovery slow when productivity declines.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that reduce sheep stocking rates on upland breeding sites
Contribute ring ouzel breeding records to BTO surveys in upland areas
Advocate for upland rewilding that restores diverse habitat structure on overgrazed moorland
Back conservation of Mediterranean and Atlas Mountain wintering habitat
Engage with hill farming community to promote wildlife-friendly stocking rate management