Unlike the flbird, the ringouzel is usually wary and wild, shunning the neighbourhood of human habitation.
Ringouzels passing through Norfolk and Suffolk in April are all doubtless heading for Scandinavia.
Autumn ringouzel movements are leisurely with small flocks of migrants (often mixed with song thrushes, mistle thrushes and redwing) passing through East Anglia during September and October.
Slightly smaller and slimmer than a flbird - male ringouzels are particularly distinctive with their fl plumage with a pale wing panel and striking white breast band.
Ringouzels can be found in upland areas of Scotland, northern England, north west Wales and Dartmoor.
Ringouzels arrive in March and April and leave again in September.
Folkestone & Hythe Birding(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-06)
3 RingOuzels, 6 Tree Sparrows, 17 Siskins, and 2 Wheatears were logged at the cliffs on the 9th, but a quieter spell followed before moderate southerlies on the 12th led to 160 Gannets and an Arctic Skua passing Samphire Hoe.
RingOuzels were at Samphire Hoe on the 19th and at the Café on the 20th, when a Firecrest was also seen, and a Short-eared Owl was found dead at Samphire Hoe.
10 RingOuzels were at the cliffs on the 22nd and a Dartford Warbler was at Abbotscliffe on the 23rd.
Up until 2003, RingOuzel occurrences at Eakring were restricted to a 13 day period from the middle of April onwards, a general trend which fits in well with that of Wheatear arrivals - another early arriving migrant.
RingOuzels have proved to be much rarer in Nottinghamshire during the Autumn.
Quite surprisingly and despite the scarcity of migrant RingOuzels, this male flying north over Eakring Flash at 7:57am, was my first ever individual to be recorded visibly on passage in ten years visible migration watching.
The RingOuzel eats insects such as worms, and, when insects are not available, it may take fruits such as berries or grapes.
RingOuzels generally wait until weather is clear before attempting to move from one migratory range to another, this goes on until they nest.
In captivity, RingOuzels should be fed foods that are close to their natural diet, such as insects, supplemented with the occasional berry or grape as a treat.
Birdwatch Ireland Upland Birds Survey(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-06)
Both the Golden Plover and RingOuzel are on the BoCCI List of threatened birds, requiring priority conservation work, as agreed between BWI and RSPB NI.
The first systematic species-specific survey of RingOuzel and Golden Plover in Donegal found a decline in distribution to that recorded in the 1968/72 and 1988/91 Atlases of breeding birds.
To undertake baseline surveys of the breeding populations of Golden Plover and RingOuzel in County Donegal, Ireland, and to identify and describe important habitat associations.
Last year, your tremendous support helped two pairs of RingOuzels nest successfully on the Edge and we are asking for your help again this breeding season.
Stanage is particularly important for the bird as it is on the south-eastern edge of their main British range and the loss of this breeding site could mean a further permanent contraction of their breeding area.
RingOuzels have many and varied habitat requirements which we are trying to improve but we need your help.
Ring Ouzel(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-06)
RingOuzels 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 declines are blamed on forestry, disturbance by walkers, agricultural improvement and the RingOuzel losing out to Blackbird and Mistle Thrush established before the migrants return in spring.
As well as being a recreational icon, Stanage is designated a Special Protection Area (Europe’s highest level of designation for birds) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and RingOuzel are one of the species of special interest.
It is also on the south-eastern edge of their main British range and the loss of this breeding site could mean a further permanent contraction of their breeding area.
Unfortunately of course, RingOuzels are wild animals and will not nest where you think they want to!
Last year, your tremendous support helped two pairs of RingOuzels nest successfully on the Edge: at Crescent (near Tower Face above the Plantation) and near the Trig Point at the southern end of the Edge.
If you see an agitated RingOuzel (going "tac, tac, tac"), please give it space and report it to the Estate Warden, tel.
As well as being a recreational icon, Stanage is designated a Special Protection Area (Europe's highest level of designation for birds) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and RingOuzels are one of the species of special interest.
note 3: The RingOuzel Study Group as a UK-wide organization which brings together amateur and professional ornithologists who are interested in and concerned about the decline in ringouzels (Turdus torquata) in Britain's uplands.
note 1: near the metal ring, during 1997 a red ring, during 1998 a yellow ring, during 1999 a blue ring and during 2000 a blue-white ring (narrow striped) has been used.
Adult birds and pulli are ringed during breeding season.
www.ping.be /~pin02658/cr-turdus.htm (580 words)
JG - Hen Cloud - Ring Ouzel Restrictions(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-06)
JG - Hen Cloud - RingOuzel Restrictions
Doesn't seem to have been publicised as much as the Stanage restriction (if at all) but there is currently a climbing restriction in force at Hen Cloud for the RingOuzel, until 1st July.
We were informed of this by one of the National Park Rangers at the top of the crag (oops!) - in fairness to us the sign saying the ban is in force is pretty much invisible if you come from the Roaches Tea House side.
This advice will be kept under review depending on whether the birds are successful or not but if they are successful then the signs are likely to be up until around 28 May.
Other RingOuzel activity: The first male and female paired up on the 21st March and were seen actively looking for a nest site on the Popular End, between Trinity Wall and Flying Buttress but they now seem to have given up and left the area.
A third pair are still attempting to nest on the Popular End and have been investigating every crack along the entire length and the bracken beds beneath it.