Readers may recollect the report of a crossbill carrying a Norwegian ring being caught and released at Ravenshill in September 2002 (Lowe 2002).

Details of this bird eventually came to hand. It had been ringed at Hodne, Klepp, Rogaland, Norway on 11th September 2002 and considered to be a juvenile female. It was re-caught at Ravenshill on 23rd September 2002 and then considered to be a juvenile male! The apparent sex change reflects the difficulties sometimes encountered in deciding from plumage the sex of young crossbills.

The bird had travelled 889 km (as the crow flies) in less than 12 days.

LOWE G 2002 Crossbills Worcestershire Record 13 pages 14-15