Mountain Movers

An upland specialist, ring ouzels return to breed in spring but are often only spotted by other mountain goers.

Spring heralds the return of many species of bird to breed in the uplands of Britain, although some manage to fly in and live their summer lives on these shores a little under the radar.

The ring ouzel is one such bird. Having wintered in the mountains of southern Spain and northwest Africa, this slim-looking member of the thrush family arrives around mid-March to breed in favoured spots from Dartmoor to the far north of Scotland.

With a liking for rocky gullies and steep-sided valleys, this is a bird really only visible to those who themselves spend time in the hills. But even when not seen, the male bird’s strong, fluty and rather desolate song can often be heard while they are perched on rocks.

Although a type of thrush, this striking bird is often mistaken for a blackbird – so much so that it is often referred to as the ‘mountain blackbird’. Slightly smaller, and with black plumage, it is similar in looks, but the distinctive white bib of the male and creamy bib of the female together with a pale, silvery wing panel set the ring ouzel apart.

Breeding begins in mid-April, with two broods common. Built by the females out of plant material bound together by mud, the bird’s cup-like nests are usually located on or close to the ground in vegetation (heather being a favourite), on rocky ledges and sometimes in small trees.

The young are fed a diet of earthworms, insects, leatherjackets and spiders, while moorland berries – blaeberry, crowberry and rowan – are important food sources later in the year.

Like many species, the ring ouzel has been known by a variety of names in different areas. In Dorset, they were traditionally known as the Michaelmas thrush due to the timing of their arrival on their southward migration. Meanwhile, an old Scots name for the bird is aiten chackart or chat of the juniper (from aitionn, Gaelic for juniper, and chackart, Scots for chacking bird).

Today, ring ouzels are on the UK Red List of birds of conservation concern due to severe breeding population decline – numbers fell 71 per cent between 1990 and 2012 – and moderate breeding range decline in recent decades.

It is believed that possible causes include afforestation, changes in grazing regimes, climate change and problems in wintering and migration areas.

Further information: Ring ouzels have been recorded at several Trust properties, including Schiehallion, Nevis, Quinag and Strathaird. They also breed high above Thirlmere in the Lake District

• This article first appeared in the Spring 2025 edition of the John Muir Trust Members' Journal. If you would like to receive our Journal twice a year please consider joining the Trust as a Member.