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This year two pairs of Raven have successfully reared young within half a mile of each other on the cliffs between Whitehaven and Parton in West Cumbria (three at one nest in one, two at the other). It‘s usually only one pair. I offer this contribution because this might be unusual, but also to suggest that the sight and sound of Ravens in this area is not unusual. Far from it: they can constantly be seen in dispute with gulls or the local raptors, or sporting with each other, performing aerobatics, croaking and honking or just going about their business of making a living. I understand that it is not unusual for Ravens to take the eggs of other species and in a previous short note I have suggested this as the reason for the Fulmar colony which shares the same cliffs to be so unproductive - this year, incidentally the dozen or so pairs (not 15 as in the Annual Report) have produced no young. So when I have seen a Raven with a white round object in its bill, as I have on several occasions, I have assumed the worst, even though I never seem to have my glasses with me to get a close look at the object. Today, however, 13th October, still without binoculars, I caught another - white-billed. I watched for some minutes as the Raven hopped about the cliff face and finally - having found a suitable place - buried the 'egg‘. But who has eggs to steal in October? If any member of the Bird Club has an explanation I‘d be glad to hear it. And if any member of the newly-opened Whitehaven Golf Course would like to get in touch with me, I might be able to point out to them where they could recover a lost golf ball. Jim Hewitson 21/11/2000: As a postscript to my recent note: I saw another Raven (the same one) the other day with a white sphere in its beak. I have no doubt that it was a golf ball. JH |