Ring Ouzel in Cimla

A female Ring Ouzel visited the garden today. Unfortunately it's stay was very brief due, in no small part, to 1 of the 2 Mistle Thrushes that have taken up residence in the garden since the heavy snow fall. It was seen around 13:15 and I kept watch for the rest of the day with no further sign.

I consistently put sultanas out for the Blackbirds throughout the year. They visit regularly and numbers increase during winter months when Song Thrushes also come to feed on them. In this cold spell they can easily get through 2 bags a day and in the mornings they are often congregated in numbers waiting for breakfast. On the 20th this month I counted 24 Blackbirds in the garden before the morning feed and at least 3 Song thrushes have also been present together this winter(4 last winter).

Since the snow I've been putting out apples also and 2 Mistle Thrushes now come regularly to feed on them and spend much of the day around the garden. It is only in recent days that Redwing have visited the garden this winter, singles mostly, but 6 together today was a good count.

I am very hopeful that the Ring Ouzel will return long enough for me to get a record shot.It showed interest in the apples during its brief visit. Unfortunately the competition to feed on them in our garden is fierce.

I've listed the birds I've seen feeding on sultanas and apples below, these come from observations taken over the last few years not just this winter.

Birds recorded feeding on sultanas - Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Starling, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Blackcap, Robin, House Sparrow(predating the seeds)

Birds recorded feeding on Apple - Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Redwing, Ring Ouzel, Starling, Blackcap, Blue Tit(often the first to use a newly placed apple)