Very Late Ring Ouzel

[John]

Something that might interest you guys & gals. I had a message left in my web sites guest book from a chap in the Whitestone area of Nuneaton. He posted it on Nov 25th but I must admit I don't check my guest book that often and didn't see it until a few days ago. He was telling me about a Ring Ouzel that was in his garden from Nov 21st to the 25th.

Not knowing anything about this chap I had a bit of a doubt regarding this find (could it be a partial Leucistic Blackbird) so I apologise to him for having that doubt. I did tactfully ask if he had any photos and sure enough after a few days he sent me a couple, and they are below.



I must admit I have never heard of a Ring Ouzel in a Midlands garden before, plus so late in the year as well, so I sent this news off to a few good Midland birders I know and apparently there had been a similar one in Fishponds Road, in Kenilworth from before Christmas 1995 to the 4th of January.

What a garden bird though, and one so late as well. I wonder if it is going to try and overwinter (this weather wouldn't be very conducive to its well being) or if it would try to carry on its late migration.

John

[aeshna5]

Certainly seems unusual both being in an urban garden + still here in the UK

There is an overwintering bird in the London area too at Rainham Marshes.

I guess if this bird is going to overwinter an urban/suburban setting with lots of berrying shrubs/trees is a fairly good survival setting.

Thanks for sharing the photos John.

[faz]

it is a ring ouzel thought they were summer visitors ?

[Dogghound]

Interesting, 1st winter male.

Sometimes the odd bird will overwinter. This one has probably been pushed into a garden due to the bad weather.

[John]

That is why I posted this thread. They are summer visitors but as with a fair few of our summer visitors some stay on that bit longer.

Talking of Summer visitors, I had a Chiffchaff in the garden last week.

John

Originally Posted by faz

it is a ring ouzel thought they were summer visitors ?

[RoyW]

While this Ring Ouzel is late, I wouldn't consider dates of 21st-25th November to be exceptional (and as has already been indicated by the mentions of over wintering birds, it certainly isn't unprecedented).
Ring Ouzels are generally early to arrive in the UK, and late leaving, with autumn passage in the south generally between late September and the middle of November (mostly during October), but a few stragglers are often seen in the country until early December, and one or two attempt to over winter in most years.

[Ukwildlifeo]

There was one ring ouzel At RSPB Rainham on 19th of December: East London Birders Forum

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

There was one ring ouzel At RSPB Rainham on 19th of December: East London Birders Forum

It had also been seen on several dates prior to this as well.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It had also been seen on several dates prior to this as well.

Since December 5th.

Birdguide reports also show, 1-2 in Cornwall recently, 1 in Buckinghamshire in early December, and others in Gwynedd and Devon in the last week of November.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Does seem to be a trend in more Ring Ouzels overwintering here.

Cheers,

Adam