[Bristol-Birds] Hawkins County Ravens

Two Common Ravens were putting on a show at Phipp's Bend in Hawkins County 
today.  The two were actively engaged in an aerial courtship display, flying 
high and then diving and tumbling through the air for hundreds of feet.  Both 
were seen to chase away an adult Red-tailed Hawk that mistakenly ventured into 
their territory. They seemed very attached to one of the gigantic old concrete 
structures and at one point both were observed exiting a large pipe structure 
embedded on the interior side.  Never heard of ravens nesting in cavities, but 
these two are prime candidates in my opinion. The concrete structure (not the 
even larger old cooling tower structure where I saw them a couple of months 
ago) is behind a large fence with NO TRESSPASSING signs liberally placed around 
the perimeter of the area.  One bird was actively moving around, calling 
loudly, and carrying food back to the structure, but I could never see a nest 
as the bird was flying through a large gap in the side to the interior which 
was behind the fence.  The other bird was rarely visible.  I'll try to visit 
again in a week or two to see if I can provide any further information.

Rick

Rick Phillips
Kingsport, Tennessee

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