V 14 No.4 - The Scottish Ornithologists' Club

208 I.R. Poxton
58 14 (4)
From the results of the survey, there is
evidence that the Ring Ouzel is present in
good numbers. The new forest edge is even
providing nest sites.
The distribution of Ring Ouzels in the
Pentlands, however, is different. The whole
of the north and northwest facing slopes of
the Pentlands are predominantly sheepwalk
with little heather. They look unsuitable for
Ring Ouzels and this was borne out by the
survey, as none were found. The valleys
leading in from the southeast side look
much more suitable. They are steep sided
with much heather and good feeding areas
and in many respects resemble the valleys
of the previous study. Much of the area is
largely undisturbed. It seems anomalous
that one of the highest densities of Ring
Ouzels recorded anywhere in the area was
in the Pentland valley system centred on
Loganlea Reservoir, which was the area for
the earlier study (Poxton 1986). This is the
area most visited by the public in any of the
three hill ranges and some nests were found
close to busy footpaths. In only one other
Pentland valley were Ring Ouzels found and
then only two territories. At least three other
valleys appeared suitable but no trace of
birds was found.
This survey has provided baseline data
on the number of Ring Ouzel territories in
southeast Scotland. Good populations exist
in the Lammermuirs and Moorfoots,
with one major focus in the Pentlands. It
will be interesting to see how afforestation
affects this species (together with others) if
the schemes in the Moorfoots continue to
expand and those proposed in the Lammermuirs
are allowed to develop. It would also
be interesting to investigate why some apparently
suitable valleys in the Pentlands do
not hold breeding Ring Ouzels.
Acknowledgements
I am extremely grateful to the following for all
the assistance given during 1985 and 1986: J.H .
Ballantyne, A.W. Barker, D. Bearnish, P. Bould,
A. Brown, A.W. & L.M. Brown, T.W. Dougall,
L. Fleming, P.R. Gordon, A. Heavisides, B.
Hickman, M. & E. Leven, M. Moss, R. Murray,
T. Smith, J.L. & M. Swallow, P. Taylor, P . Vandome,
L.L.J. Vick and various members of the
Borders branch of the SOC.
Reference
Poxton, I.R. 1986. Breeding Ring Ouzels in the
Pentland Hills. Scot. Birds 14: 44-48.
Ian R. Poxton, 217 NewbaUle Abbey Crescent,
Eskbank, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH223LU.
(Revised ms. received 24 April 1987).