Sparring Session

A visit to a Sparrowhawk nest found a couple of weeks ago revealed 3 healthy sized chicks. Five is a more normal brood in these parts, but 2012 is far from a normal breeding season. 

On checking the tarsus width of each bird (males and females take different size rings) it was found that all three were females needing a size “E” ring. The old baseball cap came in handy again while rings were located and the young back in the nest in a minute or two. 

Sparrowhawk chicks

Sparrowhawk chick - female

Other ringing sessions have been dire of late with cancelled or aborted visits due to wind, rain or both the normal outcome. A couple of sheltered garden sessions produced a few Goldfinch and Greenfinch with a single juvenile of the former and a couple of Greenfinch juveniles.

Juvenile Greenfinch

More from Another Bird Blog tomorrow I hope.