Return of the Ravens

   They’re back.  The raven nest on the horizontal part of the Plymouth Church cross is occupied again.  A big black bird sits there day and night, rain or shine, keeping eggs warm till they hatch and miniature ravens pop out.  This raven, like others of her species, has mated for life and subsists, during the month she waits for the hatch, on what her mate brings her.  He will fetch roadkill and small rodents for her sustenance.  What a guy!

        Last year I encouraged readers to check out Bernd Heinrich’s books about ravens.  He has studied them in New England for many years and has fascinating and sometimes hilarious stories about his interactions.  If you want to know more about ravens, he is a good source.  There have also been TV programs about ravens, especially their ability to identify individual humans and other researchers have verified that they make tools and solve complex problems.

        Clearly, these are intelligent creatures.  We in North Oakland are fortunate to be able to see this aspect of their life so close up.  If you are planning to check out this opportunity, bring your binoculars and stand across the street for the best view.  Standing across the street also provides the ravens some privacy.  We have a rare opportunity here.  If we keep our distance and allow them to nest without disturbing them, we could have an annual hatching event for 15 to 20 years.  That’s the average lifespan for ravens in the wild.

        Happy viewing.