Ring Ouzel -The Mountain Blackbird.
14th October 2023
Around the first week of October the north / south passage of Ring Ouzels starts to appear in the Brecon Beacons area and birds can possibly be seen where there are berry trees, (Rowan in the main), usually growing on local hills. I love these gorgeous but frustratingly enigmatic birds, I say this because they are very shy and difficult to approach.
In the spring is the most difficult time to photograph them, this is because they breed, although unfortunately very sporadically now, high up on remote and elevated hill-sides. These days they must be left alone at this time to avoid disturbance to their breeding, because as I have outlined previously they are in steep decline as a breeding bird in the UK.
However, on passage in the autumn on their journey to southern Spain and North Africa to their wintering grounds they actively seek out berry laden trees to sustain them on their way. Rowan appears to be their favourite berry tree, so a birder/photographer must seek out these trees in order to find these birds.
Ouzels will almost always be in upland areas resting on rocky hill-sides where they come down from time to time to feed on these berries.
This southerly passage can last for up to six weeks and I have seen and photographed these birds some years from mid-October right up to late November. Undoubtedly patience is needed in these photographic endeavours because otherwise you will not get anywhere near a Ring Ouzel, staying in your vehicle or remaining under cover is essential.
I love the beautiful silver fringing to their feathers.
That broad snow-white crescent on the males breast and that soft ‘chuuk chuuk’ call.
What’s not to like about them?
In the spring is the most difficult time to photograph them, this is because they breed, although unfortunately very sporadically now, high up on remote and elevated hill-sides. These days they must be left alone at this time to avoid disturbance to their breeding, because as I have outlined previously they are in steep decline as a breeding bird in the UK.
However, on passage in the autumn on their journey to southern Spain and North Africa to their wintering grounds they actively seek out berry laden trees to sustain them on their way. Rowan appears to be their favourite berry tree, so a birder/photographer must seek out these trees in order to find these birds.
Ouzels will almost always be in upland areas resting on rocky hill-sides where they come down from time to time to feed on these berries.
This southerly passage can last for up to six weeks and I have seen and photographed these birds some years from mid-October right up to late November. Undoubtedly patience is needed in these photographic endeavours because otherwise you will not get anywhere near a Ring Ouzel, staying in your vehicle or remaining under cover is essential.
I love the beautiful silver fringing to their feathers.
That broad snow-white crescent on the males breast and that soft ‘chuuk chuuk’ call.
What’s not to like about them?