VA Bird Atlasers,
I sent this message out to some Northern Region Atlasers on April 6, 2018
and given the recent questions, parts of it may be useful to you. The ADW
account does not specifically discuss immatures being fed or helping with
nesting in the following year, but communal groups are noted. Of course,
the ADW accounts are often useful but not always complete.
Kurt Gaskill
Coordinator for Northern Region of VABB2
PS I should note that Atlas year 4 is underway! Planning for finishing
priority blocks has started. Drop me a line if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Young Ravens are here! Yes, young Common Ravens are now making noises in
nests and adults are feeding them. A quick perusal of the ADW website
(https://animaldiversity.org/) shows that about 3 weeks are needed for eggs
to hatch and another 6 weeks (give or take a week) to fledge. Linda
Millington, Rich Rieger and I heard young in the nest at Sky Meadows
(rafters of an open sided shed for field equipment) and observed another
adult carrying food a mile away on 3/25 (probably not for the Sky Meadows
bird!). Given this info, I estimate most Ravens will be feeding young in
nest for about 8 weeks from that observation or about 4-6 weeks from this
message. Basically, April is good month to confirm Raven breeding! (and
into the first or two week of May) After about a week out of the nest, young
Ravens can begin to wander so the confirmation window will become narrow -
it's easier to confirm via CF or FY this month. Also note that Ravens often
use man-made structures for their nests (relay towers, open sided sheds,
billboard walkways) so if you see a Raven foraging in a block I think you
can safely code it as "H" or even "S" if it vocalizes.
-----Original Message-----
From: VA-bird <va-bird-bounces+kurtcapt87=verizon.net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Paul Woodward via VA-bird
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2019 5:49 AM
To: Virginia Birds <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [VA-bird] Ravens in Fairfax breeding?
In regard to the ravens in Fairfax City that Lucy Uncu asked about, a pair
nested there last year and successfully fledged two young. This year the
adults (female) began carrying nesting material in November 2018 and greatly
expanded last year's nest. Until this weekend we had not seen any immature
birds with the adults in the nest area. But this weekend both adults and
two immatures were present. One of the adults is providing food to the
youngsters. Based on 3 observations, it appeared to us that the adult was
greeted with wing-quivering, but did not feed the youngster directly.
Instead, put the food down and the younger birds fed themselves. This was
definitely the case on 2 of the 3 observations Possibly these immature
birds will be helpers at this year's nest, or possibly the recent harsh
weather brought them back to the nest site where at least one adult is
providing food, or a combination of both. All interesting in any event.
Judged by observed fledging date last year, the first egg for 2019 will be
laid in the first half of March.
Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA
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