Ring Ousel

The Ring Ousel is slightly smaller and slimmer than a Blackbird. The male is particularly distinctive with black plumage and a pale wing panel and striking white breast band. They tend to be shyer than other thrushes although they will often associate with them after the breeding season.

Ring Ousels arrive in March and April and leave again in September and breed in upland areas of Scotland, northern England, north west Wales and Dartmoor. On spring and autumn migration they may be seen away from their breeding areas often on the east and south coasts of the UK. Their recent population decline make them a Red List species.

Date: 30th September 2007

Location: St Margarets at Cliffe, Kent