Ravens attempting to drop and catch nest material in partnership

While watching frequent skirmishes between Peregrines and Ravens at a nesting crag of both in the Haweswater catchment, a period of calm ensued during which the pair of Ravens, which were still in the process of nest building, disappeared out of site.

On their return both birds were carrying nest material. Whilst still about 400 metres from their nest, both birds dropped their respective load and each dived sharply in an attempt to catch the others material. One was successful and carried on to its nest. The other failed, did not make a second try and also continued to join its mate on the nest.

I have never seen Ravens do this before. It was not directly prompted by renewed attacks by the Peregrines although the Ravens were almost certainly aware of their presence. They may have been in a heightened state of excitement following the previous Peregrine aggression and may have been showing off their aerial skill. On the other hand, Ravens are renowned for their aerial acrobatics and this could just have been an extension of this though I can find no reference to it in the literature.

At this particular site the Ravens should normally be sitting by this time and appear, from subsequent observation, not to have laid eggs at all. There is a history of particularly severe Peregrine hostility to the Ravens at this site. Both have nested on the same ledge at different times and there seems to be some competition for the favoured site. The Ravens have at least three other nests, and the Peregrines one other ledge, and the Ravens have been observed pinned down on the favoured ledge by constant aggression from the Peregrines.

Lyndsay Berry