Low rainfall equals drier ground equals tough times for earthworm-feeding Alpine ring ouzels

Ring ouzel - the bird favours open habitats with moist, penetrable ground 

AN alert has been sounded on the declining fortunes of the Alpine ring ouzel.

In a report to be published in Ibis, journal of the British Ornithologists' Union, evolutionary biologist Dr Jente Ottenburghs of Wageningen University in The Netherlands, says the  population - currently between 2,600 and 5,000 breeding pairs - is "decreasing rapidly".

He attributes this to climate change resulting in drier soil on its favoured habitat, mountain peaks and ridges, thereby making conditions less penetrable for the birds to forage for earthworms.

Increased tourism and the abandonment of traditional grazing practices are also thought to be factors.

                                             

Dr Ottenburghs - biologist and publicity officer for Ibis