A ring ouzel was spotted resting and ‘refuelling’ by Hauxley volunteer Pauline Gilbertson who was thrilled to take a photograph of it as they are quite an unusual sight along the coast.

The striking thrush, a little larger than a blackbird, spends the winter in Spain and north west Africa. It is the only thrush that visits Britain & Ireland for the summer months, arriving in mid-March and departing during September and October. In recent years, a handful of birds have been found in the UK during the winter, mostly in gardens.

Also known as the fell or moor blackbird, the names refer to the preferred breeding habitat of the species - rocky crags of mountainous areas and upland moors. 

Similarly proportioned to a blackbird, the ring ouzel measures 24cm long with a 40cm wingspan. The male is mainly black, with a broad white crescent across the breast and white edging to the wings and some body feathers, which gives the bird a scaly appearance. Males sing from prominent crags and boulders, claiming a territory with their beautiful but desolate song.

Following long-term declines in population and breeding range, the ring ouzel is classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds since 2022.

Alex Lister, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Druridge Bay Landscapes Manager says:

“The ring ouzel is a bird more likely to be spotted on the Northumberland uplands rather than on a coastal reserve, so when we found out from Pauline, one of our Hauxley volunteers, that one had popped into Hauxley for a rest on its way inland, we were all really excited.

“It was seen by a number of very lucky visitors at various places around the reserve, but the best place was from the new bird viewing hide constructed last year thanks to funding from The Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot Programme (RAMP) - proof if any were need that the money has indeed achieved what it set out to do - ensuring people have the opportunity to experience nature.”