[bcbirdclub] Raven Research
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:29:28 -0500
Hi All,
I spent an enjoyable day with Josh Felch, a graduate student doing research on
Common Ravens for the University of Kentucky.
Josh, a very nice and intelligent young man, is gathering data on ravens in
order to better identify active nest sites. Josh was interested in the raven
nest found last year near the Dismal River here in Buchanan County. Don
Carrier, David Raines and I discovered that nest on April 12 of last year while
birding in the area. So far it is the first nesting site for ravens that we
have been able to confirm within the county though we are confident there are
more.
Josh and I spent the first (very cold) part of today observing the nest site
from the valley below. We saw one raven near the site, or at least one raven at
a time, but not a pair at once. After lunch we hiked up the steep mountainside
to the nest site. As we were climbing we finally saw a pair of ravens circling
high overhead. After reaching the site we found that the nest seemed to be in
use. There was lots of white-wash (raven droppings) on the rocks near the nest,
and the nest looked as if it had been made ready to use with new sticks. We
couldn't see down into the nest to see if there were eggs yet, but it is still
early.
( A photo of Josh with the nest site cliff in the background)
Staying only long enough to gather some data and take a few photos we retraced
our trail back to the valley. It was then that we saw first, three ravens, then
four, flying together. One was carrying something small and round which
resembled a small fruit, possibly a small apple.
Josh plans to return later in the season to check on the birds to see if they
have been successful in hatching young.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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