I know they are quite like Carrion Crows and simply black but the Raven is a remarkable bird.
I saw half a dozen Ravens deep in Northamptonshire yesterday. They were feeding with crows in a field of sheep. Thirty years ago they would have been an arresting and newsworthy sight. These days they are a noteworthy but more regular observation. A sign of our times – Ravens, Buzzards, Polecats are all spreading east to recover their populations largely thanks to the reduced incidence of poison baits in the countryside. Hooray!
On my 2013 trip to the USA I recall seeing Ravens in the north of Michigan on a cold May day where the trees were all conifers and the winters are snow-laden and a few weeks later in the deserts of Arizona in baking heat. I had relied on the car’s heater, thick jumpers and a coat to be comfortable in Wisconsin and the car’s air conditioning, a T-shirt and many bottles of water to get through the day in Arizona. Yet the Raven seemed to tackle each climate with the same black feathers with equal toughness.
I can see why, in the absence of poisoned rabbits strewn around the countryside, the Raven can make its home in Northamptonshire. I’ve seen them over my garden; I’ve seen them adjacent to one of my BBS squares; maybe in 2016 I will add Raven to my Stanwick Lakes list.
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Ravens are super birds – their synchronised flying great to watch – their variety of vocabulary very special – yes a bird right up there:-)
Thank you so much for the stunning Raven…you have completely made my day [and probably my birthday tomorrow]. I just adore Ravens – in Mid Wales I enjoyed them daily and in 25 years they never once ceased to bring me happiness, in the darkest moments they lifted my spirits. Sadly I have not seen one in Norfolk, although they make brief occasional visits. Please send me some of your Northants birds.
stella – Happy Christmas!
A remarkable bird indeed Mark and a personal favourite.
‘The Birds of Essex’ of 1890 (Christmas present) makes for interesting reading:
“Still a resident in Essex, though a very rare one — indeed, it is probable, if not certain, that ours is the only county in the east, south-east, or midland counties of England in which the Raven still breeds regularly. It is much to be feared, however, that unless the few pairs still nesting with us receive in the future more consideration than that they have had during the last few years they will soon cease to remain with us. The Raven was once a common bird, breeding frequently in Essex, and there are still many trees known as “Raven Trees,” from the fact of their having once been regularly occupied by a pair of birds for many years; but it is now almost extinct, though I saw and heard one at Great Warley on Feb. 12th, 1880. The species lingered on the coast some time after becoming rare inland. It is most earnestly to be hoped that naturalists, collectors and others will abstain from molesting our few remaining Essex Ravens. The fact of the Raven nesting in Essex at the present day, within between forty and fifty miles of the metropolis, is a matter of the highest interest to ornithologists and very remarkable. In Suffolk, the last known nest was in 1869, and in Norfolk the last was in or about 1872, while in most other adjoining counties the Raven probably ceased to breed still earlier. In Essex, the species is already on the verge of extinction, and it can hardly be expected that under any circumstances it can exist with us very many years longer; but the disappearance of so interesting a feature in our avifauna would be a thing to regret deeply, and it is much to be hoped that the day of the Raven’s final extermination in Essex will be delayed as long as possible.”
We had a new pair on territory in Dedham Vale last year, but they were nowhere to be seen this year. Judging by the fact that Ravens are highly sedentary, and that there are lots of shoots in the area, I find their disappearance highly suspicious.
Ed – very interesting, thank you.
When I worked at the RSPB in Sandy, Beds, if my office window were open, I might sometimes hear the odd croak of a Raven. It was always very distracting. But if one can’t be distracted by nature then what is the point in living?
Happy Christmas.
Quite right Mark. Happy Christmas to you too.
I guess it could be possible for someone to mistakingly shoot one taking it for a crow especially if they are not regularly seen in the area. Any records of this?
I don’t buy that at all. Ravens are massive – bigger than Buzzards and very vocal. Anyone carrying a shotgun would know exactly what they were – especially if seen as a pair.
I’ve always liked Ravens and often see and hear them when I visit my other half in Wales, where they even sometimes perch in the trees in the garden. Here in north yorkshire its a different story, in the Dales they are like Peregrines very rarely successful on or near grouse moors. Although a pair did nest this year in Nidderdale probably for the first time since the 19th century, may it long continue.
Saw a raven this morning on Boxing Day walk – happy to say they seem to be doing well on the upland heath and moorland of the Long Mynd here in South Shropshire, having (it seems to me) spread gradually from the west in recent years.
Ravens are now frequent in south Derbyshire though sadly persecuted at the other end of the county in the war zone that is the Dark Peak.
A few years ago in spring a pair turned up at Derby Cathedral where peregrines have nested since 2006. They stole the falcons’ cached prey and even started to take a few sticks up to the stonework at the top of the tower and just round the corner from the peregrine’s nest platform. That didn’t last long of course, the falcons seeing them off never to return.
BTW I’ve just looked at the web cams that show the nest platform and they show it covered in snow……rather beautiful at night with the city lights in the background! http://www.derby.gov.uk/apps/peregrines/webcam.asp
Nick
Ps. Lovely raven photo!
Mark – great piece and love the photo. Love ravens too!
Ever read Berne Heinrich’s Ravens In Winter?