New study highlights continued decline of Ireland’s breeding Ring Ouzels

A new study, published in the most recent edition of the Irish Birds journal, has found that Ring Ouzel continue to decline in one of their last remaining breeding areas in Ireland. The study, by Dr. Allan Mee, found that the number of ‘apparently occupied sites’ in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks (Co. Kerry) have declined over the last 10 years, with few remaining. As part of the survey, Dr. Mee documented the ecology and habitat associations of this remnant population, in the hope that urgent conservation measures and appropriate habitat management may yet retain and restore the numbers of this enigmatic upland bird species.

The Irish Rare Breeding Birds Panel would like to remind people of the importance of submitting records of rare breeding birds, such as Ring Ouzel. Records of rare and scarce breeders, as well as non-native species and potential colonists, can be submitted via the ‘Your Records’ section in the menu bar above.

The full paper from Irish Birds is available to download via the link below: