Ring Ouzels at Pegsdon Hills

25th April 2023

Spring migration is now fully underway and Ring Ouzels have been reported in Chack Valley at Pegsdon Hills so time to test my fitness!! The approach from the road to the base of the hills is deceiving as it is relatively flat, but when you reach the base of the hills the challenge becomes more obvious. 

And going up the hills on your own is never a problem as you are always being watched.

Quite a few Sky Larks singing but fairly hard to approach, but this one stayed long enough for a few shots.

The best surprise of the day was the number of Meadow Pipits which easily out-numbered the Sky Larks which wherever I go is quite unusual

But the best find on the eastern slope was this beautiful Wheatear which posed nicely on some lichen-covered twigs. Just how lucky is that?

But how about the Ring Ouzels? Well I walked to the top of the hills and then walked west so that I could look down Chack Valley with the sun behind me. There were four ouzels on the slopes, all males, with three on the slope opposite me and the fourth down by the entrance to the vally and hopelessy out of range.

Knowing how skittish Ring Ouzels can be I concealed myself in some Hawthen saplings and gently moved forward until I was able to take some shots still within cover, by which time I was at a range of some 40-50 yards. The light was good but a bit from the side but overall I was pleased with the results.

Well, what a great morning and I am sure this will become an annual pilgrimage. Now off to Fowlmere to see how the harriers are getting on.