Within the range of Ring Ouzel, the nominate torquatus breeds in Fennoscandia, the British Isles, and north-western France. It winters in southern Europe and North Africa. T. t. alpestris breeds in the mountains of central and southern Europe and winters in Asia minor and North Africa. (see map)
Ring Ouzel is a scarce and local summer breeding visitor to Scotland which continues to breed in most upland areas despite the declines in population over the past 100 years. It is also a scarce passage migrant, more frequent in the autumn than in spring and mostly along the east coast. There are also a very small number of winter records.
Here in the Outer Hebrides, Ring Ouzel was first mentioned as being found on Lewis in the summer of 1865 although this was not fully accepted by Gray, MacGillivary, or Harvie-Brown. Doubt was also placed on the report of a pair on the North Lee, North Uist in May 1883, however, this record fits well with the pattern of occurrence since then.
Ring Ouzel occurs mainly as a migrant in the Outer Hebrides, although singing males have been seen and breeding suspected on several occasions. All the possible breeding records come from either the North Harris hills or west Lewis, with a pair on Oreval, Harris, in May 1982; a singing male at Grimersta, Lewis, in June 1992; a singing male near Loch Voshimid, Harris, in May 1994; a singing male on Sron Scourst plus a pair on Mulla-fo-Tuath, both on Harris in May 1998; and a pair at Loch Scourst, Harris in June 2013. Some other breeding season reports might relate to poorly heard or seen Song Thrush and Blackbirds, both of which can occupy moorland habitats and in the case of the former breed at altitude in boulder and scree slopes here on the islands.
Spring migrants occur mainly in May but there are a number of April records, the earliest arrival being one cited by Harris & Murray and again later by Murray on St Kilda on 23rd March, but no references have yet been found and so the details are unknown. A few later birds occur into June.
Autumn records are, like spring, quite late as a rule, although an early bird was on St Kilda on 15th August 1989, the only record for that month. There is a very obvious peak in October, with many records occurring in the second half of the month, a few records in September, all but one on 6th September 2011 being in the latter half of the month, and few stragglers into November, the latest being on 12th November 1997 on South Uist.
There are two winter records involving three single birds being present on the islands in December 1976, but details are vague, and no dates or locations were given, and a single bird at Uig, Lewis in January 1993.
Since 1991, the species has become an annual visitor, when there are usually less than five records in any one year. Occasionally, because of weather patterns small influxes occur such as in June 1982, when up to six were at Loch Druidibeg, South Uist, and in October 1993 when nine were on St Kilda. Other high counts have been at least eight on Barra in October 2005 and at least nine, again on Barra in October 2021. The years where more than five records occurred were 2001 (7 records), 2019 (11) and 2012 (14), the latter involving a minimum of 27 birds, the highest annual count.
On the outliers, prior to 2003, it was recorded with some regularity as a migrant from St Kilda, North Rona, and the Flannan Islands, and once on the Monach Islands. Since then, It has only occurred on four occasions on St Kilda and once on Mingulay.
With regards St Kilda records, Harris & Murray (1989) states that there were “Seven singles between 23 March and 11 May” but none can currently be found. Later, Murray (2002) states that there were “Twenty five spring records, mostly single birds between 23 March and 23 May. In the autumn period, at least 9 records between 1 October and 10 November” Of these, only ten of the 25 spring records between April and May are known, as are just six of the nine records from October to November.
Ring Ouzel, St Kilda, October 2021 © Craig Nisbet
| 1865 | Found in Lewis in summer. (Harvie-Brown J A and Buckley T E 1888: 47) – Not widely accepted |
| 1881 | Harris, one locality, undated. (Harvie-Brown J A and Buckley T E 1888: 47) |
| 1883 | North Lee, North Uist, pair present, 20th May. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1897 | Barra, one, 8th April. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1907 | Flannan Isles, several, 2nd October, one till 3rd-4th October |
| 1908 | Flannan Isles, one, 28th – 29th April. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1909 | Flannan Isles, one, 4th October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) Butt of Lewis, three killed at light, 17th October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1910 | Flannan Isles, one, 14th May. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1914 | Flannan Isles, one, 18th April. (Stevenson A – unpublished) Flannan Isles, three, 21st October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1915 | Butt of Lewis, one, 19th October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1920 | Monach Islands, female, killed at light, 14th April, two, 15th April. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1954 | Butt of Lewis, one 5th May. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1959 | North Rona, two, 10th October, one, 12th – 14th October. (Birds of North Rona and Sula Sgeir: 32) |
| 1962 | North Rona, one, 9th October. (Birds of North Rona and Sula Sgeir: 32) |
| 1963 | St Kilda, one, 29th June. (Harris M P and Murray S 1989 The birds of St Kilda: 34) |
| 1965 | St Kilda, one, 7th October. (Harris M P and Murray S 1989 The birds of St Kilda: 34) St Kilda, one, 11th October. (Harris M P and Murray S 1989 The birds of St Kilda: 34) |
| 1967 | North Rona, one, 18th October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1968 | North Rona, two, 22nd October. (Birds of North Rona and Sula Sgeir: 32) |
| 1974 | St Kilda, male, 6th May. (Scottish Birds Vol.8 No.8: 452) |
| 1975 | Monach Islands, one, 21st October. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1976 | Berneray, North Uist, two, 4th November. (Scottish Birds Vol.10 No3/4: 106-107) Outer Hebrides, three singles in December. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1977 | North Rona, one, 28th May. (Birds of North Rona and Sula Sgeir: 32) St Kilda, one, 1st May. (Scottish Birds Vol.10 No3/4: 143) |
| 1979 | Lewis, one, 29th May. (Scottish Bird Report 1979: 40) |
| 1981 | North Rona, one, found dead, 17th October. (Birds of North Rona and Sula Sgeir: 32) |
| 1982 | Small influx in May – June including six at Druidibeg, South Uist. (Scottish Bird Report 1982: 38) Oreval Glean, Miavig, Harris, pair, 8th May. (Stevenson A – unpublished) |
| 1987 | St Kilda, male, 2nd June. (Hebridean Naturalist No.10: 55) |
| 1988 | Toe Head, Harris, one, 1st June. (Hebridean Naturalist No.10: 61) St Kilda, one, 16th June. (Hebridean Naturalist No.10: 61) |
| 1989 | Grogarry, South Uist, male, 12th April. (OH Bird Report 1989 & 1990: 74) St Kilda, male, 12th May. (OH Bird Report 1989 & 1990: 74) North Rona, female, 20th May. (OH Bird Report 1989 & 1990: 74) St Kilda, male, 15th August. (OH Bird Report 1989 & 1990: 74) |
| 1991 | North, Locheynort, South Uist, male, 26th May. (OH Bird Report 1991: 63) St Kilda, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 1991: 63) |
| 1992 | Skipport Plantation, South Uist, one, 19th May. (Stevenson A – unpublished) Grimersta, Lewis, singing male, June. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) |
| 1993 | Uig, Lewis, one, 9th January. (Stevenson A – unpublished) Uig, Lewis, one, 9th June. (Stevenson A – unpublished) St Kilda, nine, 4th October. (Murray, Birds of St Kilda: 45) |
| 1994 | Loch Voshimid, Harris, singing male, 20th May. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) |
| 1995 | St Kilda, one, 26th – 29th April. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) St Kilda, one, 9th – 10th November. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) |
| 1996 | St Kilda, at least seven different, 15th – 26th October. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) |
| 1997 | Snishival, South Uist, one, 12th November. (OH Bird Report 1997: 72) |
| 1998 | Sron Scourst, Harris, singing male, 27th May. (OH Bird Report 1998: 77) Mulla-fo-Tuath, Harris, pair, 28th May. (OH Bird Report 1998: 77) St Kilda, first-winter, 1st October. (OH Bird Report 1998: 77) |
| 1999 | St Kilda, at least three different males (one singing) + a female, 25th April to 16th May (six dates). (OH Bird Report 1999: 74) Craigastrome, Benbecula, male 14th May. (OH Bird Report 1999: 74) Druidibeg plantation, South Uist, male, 28th May. (OH Bird Report 1999: 74) |
| 2000 | Trumisgarry & Clachan Farm, North Uist, one, 30th October to 1st November.(OH Bird Report 2000: 89) |
| 2001 | St Kilda, one, 28th April. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) St Kilda, one, 17th May. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) St Kilda, one, 24th September. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) North Rona, one, 29th September. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) North Rona, one, 1st October. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) St Kilda, two, 10th – 11th October, one till 12th October. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) St Kilda, one 15th October, two, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2001: 47) |
| 2002 | St Kilda, female, 4th – 5th May. (OH Bird Report 2002: 47) |
| 2003 | Rueval, Benbecula, one, 11th May. (OH Bird Report 2003 & 2004: 74) St Kilda, two, 23rd May. (OH Bird Report 2003 & 2004: 74) Northbay, Barra, two, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2003 & 2004: 74) |
| 2004 | Brue, Lewis, one, 8th October. (OH Bird Report 2003 & 2004: 74) Druidibeg plantation, South Uist, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 2003 & 2004: 74) |
| 2005 | Barra, two, 16th October, at least eight, 19th, five still present 20th, one, 21st. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) Druidibeg plantation, South Uist, one, 23rd October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) |
| 2006 | Bragar, Lewis, first-winter male, 12th October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) South Glendale, one, 12th October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) South Glendale, one different, 15th October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) Clachan Farm, North Uist, one, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) Bornish, South Uist, one, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2005/2006: 159) |
| 2007 | Knockline, North Uist, one, 21st September. (OH Bird Report 2007: 142) Brue, Lewis, one, 27th September. (OH Bird Report 2007: 142) Northbay, Barra, one, 29th September. (OH Bird Report 2007: 142) |
| 2008 | South Clettraval, North Uist, one, 30th April. (OH Bird Report 2008-10: 116) |
| 2009 | South Glendale, South Uist, one, 23rd October. (OH Bird Report 2008-10: 116) |
| 2010 | South Glendale, South Uist, one, 11th April. (OH Bird Report 2008-10: 116) Gleann, Barra, one, 10th October. (OH Bird Report 2008-10: 116) |
| 2011 | Doune Carloway, Lewis, one, 6th September. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) South Glendale, South Uist, 11th November. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) |
| 2012 | Rhenigidale, Harris, male, 24th April. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) Committee Road, North Uist, female, 9th May. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) Mingulay, one, one day in mid-May. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) South Glendale, South Uist, two, 14th October, one, 16th. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) |
| 2013 | Loch Scourst, Harris, pair, 26th June. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) Callernish, Lewis, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) North Locheynort, South Uist, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) Ben Risary plantation, North Uist, three, 16th October. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) Bornish, South Uist, one, 17th October. (OH Bird Report 2011-13: 290-291) |
| 2014 | Butt of Lewis, male, 4th May. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Torlum, Benbecula, 7th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Snishival plantation, South Uist, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) North Locheynort, South Uist, one, 11th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Bornish, South Uist, one, 17th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) |
| 2015 | Butt of Lewis, one, 17th April. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Vatersay, one, 18th April. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Butt of Lewis, one, 6th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Eoropie, Lewis, one, different, 6th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Loch Druidibeg NR, South Uist, one, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) |
| 2016 | Gleann, Barra, one, 9th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Snishival plantation, South Uist, one, 18th October. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) Brevig, Barra, one, 22nd October, possibly same, Northbay, Barra, 23rd. (OH Bird Report 2014-16: 172) |
| 2017 | Maoil Daimh, South Uist, one, 9th June. (OH Bird Report 2017: 118) Butt of Lewis, two, 19th October, one 1CY still 20th. (OH Bird Report 2017: 118) South Dell, Lewis, one, 19th October. (OH Bird Report 2017: 118) Reuval, Benbecula, one, 20th October. (OH Bird Report 2017: 118) South Glendale, South Uist, one, 22nd October. (OH Bird Report 2017: 118) |
| 2018 | Glen Noustapal, South Uist, one, 29th April. (OH Bird Report 2018:131) |
| 2019 | Scolpaig, North Uist, one, 23rd April Northbay, Barra, one, 27th September, remained for several days at least Loch Druidibeg NR, South Uist, one, 29th September St Kilda, one, 7th – 10th October North Locheynort, South Uist, one, 10th October Iochar, South Uist, one, 10th October Brevig, Barra, first-winter male, 11th October Creachan, Barra, one, different, 11th October Northbay, Barra, one, 12th-16th October Gleann, Barra, 13th – 16th October North Locheynort, South Uist, one, 20th October |
| 2020 | Northbay, Barra, one, 25th September Gleann, Barra, one, 25th September & 2nd October Creachan, Barra, 3rd – 6th October Howmore, South Uist, one, 17th October South Dell, Lewis, one, 20th October |
| 2021 | Carinish, North Uist, one, 16th April Morghan, Barra, one, 20th October Creachan, Barra, one, 20th October Hirta, St Kilda, male, 21st October, six, 22nd, individuals, 23rd – 25th North Locheynort, South Uist, one, 21st October Barra, nine on the island, 21st October Stinky Bay, Benbecula, male, 22nd October South Glendale, South Uist, one, 22nd October Eriskay, South Uist, male, 22nd October Balranald, North Uist, one 22nd October Carnan, South Uist, one, 23rd October Ammuinsuide, Harris, female, 24th October Balemore, North Uist, one, 25th October Hirta, St Kilda, one, 25th October |
| 2022 | Gleann, Barra, male, 27th April Crabhadail, Harris, male singing, 3rd May Sron Scourst, Harris, male singing, 18th May |
| 2023 | South Glendale, South Uist, female, 21st April Hirta, St Kilda, male, 25th April Hirta, St Kilda, juvenile, 28th September Glenn, Barra, male, 30th September to 4th October Heaval, Barra, one, 1st October Garrygall, Barra, two, 1st October Hirta, St Kilda, male, 6th October Adabroc, Lewis, one, 17th October Breasclete, Lewis, one, 18th October Barra, one, 21st October Huisinish, Harris, male, 27th October |
| 2024 | Glen, Barra, male, 25th April |