The decline of the Ring Ouzel in Britain

Abstract

The Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus is a Red-listed, UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species in Britain because of steep declines in breeding numbers over the past 25 years. Data from several monitoring projects, from across much of the species' British range, show that widespread declines continue. Recent studies aimed at understanding these declines are reviewed, and suggest that low first- year, and possibly adult, survival may be the main demographic mechanism driving the decline. The research priorities are now to identify the factors affecting survival, determine where these factors are operating, and find management solutions.