News

DECLINING RING OUZEL ENJOYS SAFE HAVEN

27th January, 2009

The rare Ring Ouzel has delighted conservationists by successfully raising 34 chicks in an area of the North York Moors from a record number of nests, (12).

Between 1988 and 1999 the breeding population in Britain plummeted by 58% placing it firmly on the Red List of species of most conservation concern. However 500 hours of painstaking monitoring on Spaunton Moor, near Kirkbymoorside, has revealed that the population in this area has remained stable over the last five years – bucking the national trend.

Ornithologist Ken Hutchinson, is sure that the habitat that is managed primarily for red grouse, has a large part to play in the bird’s breeding success.

Explained Ken: “The Ring Ouzel is a charismatic little bird; slightly smaller than a blackbird, and the male is very distinctive with black feathers and a white bib. They rely on extensively covered heather moorland and nest on the ground, preferring steep heather banks or rocky ledges. This makes them very vulnerable to hunters like foxes, stoats and weasels. Luckily, the numbers of these mammalian predators, which have increased in recent times, are controlled on the Estate by the grouse moor keepers and is certainly a large factor in the bird’s success. Despite the management, however, three broods were eaten by predators.”

Said Estate owner and Deputy Chair of the Moorland Association George Winn-Darley: “We are delighted that our grouse moor management has helped the Ring Ouzel, ensuring they have healthy heather, and fewer predators to worry about. We only seek a managed balance of all species on the moor and do not want to eradicate any predators, but we will step up efforts around the established territories to help boost the Ring Ouzel’s breeding success next year.”

Ring Ouzels feed on insects and earthworms in the breeding season and are particularly partial to Rowan berries before migrating for the winter. However, the monitoring exercise also revealed that the Rowan trees in the area are getting old and there is no fresh regeneration of the trees threatening the dwindling British population further.

Landowner Mr Winn-Darley has already identified areas where some tree planting could take place in the ghylls adjacent to the open moor at his own cost. If anyone else in the Rosedale area is thinking of planting a tree in their garden, a new woodland or a shelter belt, The Moorland Association asks that they consider planting Rowan to help secure the long term future of the Ring Ouzel in the North York Moors.