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Ring Ouzel
In Germany the Ring Ouzel can only rarely be found outside the alps. There are small populations in the Black Forest (Baden-Württemberg), in the Bohemian Forest (Bavaria) and in the Harz (Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt). The scandinavian subspecies torquatus is a migrant mainly in April and by the end of September to the end of October and can be found all over the country.
The alpine subspecies alpestris occurs above 1000 m asl and is associated with the tree limit. It can be found in coniferous forests that are often shadily and moist. These forests need to include meadows, open areas caused by avalanches or other open spaces (Bezzel 1985). The easiest way to find Ring Ouzels is to visit mountain pastures that are at least a little bit covered by conifers by the end of April and to listen to the monotonous song. Good places can be found in the National Park Berchtesgaden and in the area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen.