November ring - ing

Well...here we are mid November and theres not that many thrushes around....the weather is reported as warmer than usual for the time of year and its looking likely a 'warm' November will be recorded this year....all well and good....but frosts and low temperatures are whats needed to round up a few birds in to the orchards to find the apples and micro climate under the trees where food will be available....

A few Redwings ringed today along with a couple of Goldcrests....

...female....just the yellow crown...

Prized bird of the day though was this rather splendid female Sparrowhawk….

The last thing some birds see as its standing over them.....

A couple of retained secondaries and some chestnut fringing on the lesser coverts gave away that this bird has yet to attain adult status despite the bright yellow eye....