I just managed to get a better look with binoculars and he has a couple of white patches elsewhere and yellow eye rings so I don't think it's the ouzel after all but it was nice while the mystery remained! Thanks for your help.
I remember seeing a wintering male on Winter Hill in the 90's so it's easily possible..
Also, I don't think the location is necessarily a negative point. There was one in a suburban Cheadle Hulme garden back in the 80s. This still could be a black and white Blackbird but worth keeping an eye out for a second look.
I would have agreed with your summation Barry - until I looked at this website http://www.ringouzel.info/news_viewsightings.html
It would appear that over-wintering Ring Ouzels, whilst rare, are more frequent than I realised, e.g. 15 fairly widespread January birds reported in 2015. Could well include some mistaken IDs but also some supported with photos and most seem genuine.
Thanks, Barry. I did think it would be a minor miracle. I'll see if it is around tomorrow if we are still at the hospice and check it out a bit closer!
Never say never, Vicki. It would probably smash earliest ever sighting records and in a v.unusual location. It is more than likely a blackbird with a white patch of feathers. I've seen them in a couple of locations in the last 12 months (one in Hyde Pk in London and on Frodsham Marshes in Cheshire) Weight of experience says that's more likely. Well found
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Garden Life List: 57 My UK only life list: 263 My Global Life List: 528 Global 2024 year list: 196 My UK 2024 year list: 176 My 2024 Garden List: 39
I just saw a bird in the hospice gardens. Looked exactly like a ring Ouzel: blackbird sized and white collar. It was sat in a tree but flew off before I could try to get a photo.
Is there any history of seeing them round these parts at this time of year? I've never seen one before but the white collar looked just like a ring Ouzel.
