Wildlife

Wild Ring Ouzel: Upland Breeding Welfare and Decline

Ring ouzel populations are declining in UK uplands, with breeding site disturbance and climate change driving welfare concerns.

Key Facts

UK ring ouzel breeding population declined by 61% between 1988 and 2019
Ring ouzels breed in steep rocky upland hillsides with bilberry and crowberry vegetation
Disturbance during incubation causes nest abandonment with direct chick welfare cost
Climate change is reducing bilberry fruiting that sustains ouzel energy during breeding

Welfare Considerations

Ring ouzel chicks that fail to hatch or survive due to nest abandonment from disturbance die from exposure or predation. The welfare cost of nest failure accumulates across declining years as population density decreases. Access management at key breeding sites directly reduces disturbance-related welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Stay on paths and avoid rocky slope areas in ring ouzel habitat during breeding season
Report ring ouzel sightings to county bird recording groups and BTO BirdTrack
Support upland habitat management organisations maintaining bilberry heath for ouzels