U of Alberta - 2009 / Damon & Radisson

[bev.]

I have been out all day and was shocked to see the nest gone. I felt after the fluff went in that it should now be left up to fate.  I did not say that this morning because I did not want to create controversy .

You all know how I feel about my site, and I love the falcons but having said that I felt for the ravens, and took a  lot of pictures f or my album.
I also went to read up about them and noticed how the male cares for his mate and that was stated in what I was reading.

Although the raven is known for his cunning ways it is just as evident as its deep concern for its life partner
 I witnessed it when I went to the site. He was glued to her hip..

so although I was very outspoken for my peregrines at the start, I have learned that nature is nature and must all be respected.  

I will find a  few nice pictures and post them so you can see about how they feel for each other.

[bcbird]

When I saw how much fluff was in the nest this morning, I wondered if there would be an egg coming up soon, maybe today.  Actually I felt a thrill.  As a West Coast girl I'm familiar with the chuckles and weird calls and voices of the raven in the rainforests. Those sounds seem to make the forest  friendlier.  I would watch a nest of ravens with interest.

Now what?  I guess I hoped such established nest building would deter our PFs without much of a fight, leaving the peregrines safe to nest elsewhere.  When I look at that now pristine box, I see a trap, and feel anxious.

[Elaine L]

I agree with Loriann and Carly.

The latest comment (dated April 3) posted on the web site says that “the ravens pose little to no threat to the peregrines, as the nest will almost certainly be reclaimed by peregrines upon their return. So please, do not be worried!"  I don’t know if they mean worried about the peregrines, or the ravens.  

Certainly, and I know I am looking at this from the human perspective which is wrong, but I know if my house was demolished twice, after working so hard to put everything in order, I would be devastated.  I think the ravens can pretty well handle any feathered foe, but a human foe is really hard to deal with.

[carly]

Have they been back yet since they did this?

[ballywing]

But now after watching these 2 for the past few days, I have to admit I was touched by the way they worked so hard together to build such a complicated nest so they can raise a family.  Honestly after I saw this second nest I thought to myself, ok it's meant to be this way and hopefully the falcons will see the nest and try to find an alternate home for this year.  And I had come to the same conclusion as your above comment which is that perhaps we just need to let nature take it's course whether it suits us or not.
I think the problem is we all care too much..too human I guess 

Ditto - And Double Ditto to all of that!!! 

[carly]

Personally I feel sorry for the Ravens, who thru no fault of their own have been villified, evicted ( repeatedly) and  are now homeless again for the second time in a week, unable to raise their family in peace in their chosen spot.   I know the falcons are what you all want to see, but Ravens are highly intelligent birds, facinating in their own right. I don't think they should remove this nest again. And we all KNOW the ravens will be back trying again before the day is out.

As Tracy stated, birds evict each other in the 'wild' all the time.  I don't think we ( humans) should interfere in the 'natural' way of things any further at this nest site.

Just my opinion.. I'm sure you all have yours to contribute too.   

your point is well taken Loriann and quite valid.  In the beginning I was quite emotional about it all because I got so attached to Radisson last year, probably more so because she is Trey and Princess's daughter so to see them live on through her was quite exciting.  After reading all about the NL raven/falcon wars, I was so afraid they would be hurt and I was quite detached about the ravens.

But now after watching these 2 for the past few days, I have to admit I was touched by the way they worked so hard together to build such a complicated nest so they can raise a family.  Honestly after I saw this second nest I thought to myself, ok it's meant to be this way and hopefully the falcons will see the nest and try to find an alternate home for this year.  And I had come to the same conclusion as your above comment which is that perhaps we just need to let nature take it's course whether it suits us or not.

I think the problem is we all care too much..too human I guess 

[Loriann]

Personally I feel sorry for the Ravens, who thru no fault of their own have been villified, evicted ( repeatedly) and  are now homeless again for the second time in a week, unable to raise their family in peace in their chosen spot.   I know the falcons are what you all want to see, but Ravens are highly intelligent birds, facinating in their own right. I don't think they should remove this nest again. And we all KNOW the ravens will be back trying again before the day is out.

As Tracy stated, birds evict each other in the 'wild' all the time.  I don't think we ( humans) should interfere in the 'natural' way of things any further at this nest site.

Just my opinion.. I'm sure you all have yours to contribute too.   

[ballywing]

.....sigh....I don't know whether to be   - or to be  

[bcbird]

This would seem to guarantee some strife lies ahead, and definitely without a foregone conclusion to the outcome.

[Elaine L]

What a shock - the nest contents have been removed!  I have been watching the site, and I did not see the biologists at all.  The poor ravens - I hope they have the energy to continue their work elsewhere!

[dodobird]

The nest appears to be cleaned out again. Hope this encourages the ravens to nest elsewhere. Poor things.

[The Peregrine Chick]

Chickens and eggs    Might be a problem if the peregrines come back to this site this year.  Remember Radisson and Homeless fought over this site last year and the third female in their little territorial disputes died of her injuries.  They both decide to try their luck elsewhere if they make it back at all of course.

[ballywing]

Much as I was hoping Radisson would get her nest back, I'm starting to think it would be less disruptive for her to find another site than for these poor Ravens to get their hard work trashed again and have nowhere to lay their eggs. There's no perfect scenario to this!!!!  - Just hope there's no scuffles when George shows Radisson (or any other falcon)  his rental agreement... ....Then again I kinda feel like a traitor for feeling bad for the Ravens...they're not endangered, they're not what the nest was built for , they're not peregrines!!......ARGH!!!!

[Loriann]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Raven

 an interesting read for those of you not familiar with Raven.    Seeing as we might be watching 'Raven-Cam', we should know what we are seeing. Ravens can have up to 7 eggs, and only mom incubates, so it will be different from the falcons for sure.  Make sure you read the part about Raven dropping large stones on predators who threaten the nest.  Mr. Maintenance Man might consider increasing his protective gear to something more than shades.. or we'll really have something to watch.

[allikat]

It's a tough situation either way around allikat.  Even without the Ravens, we would still potentially have 2 females coming home, both of whom think it's their nest box so there will be angst either way.  And who knows, some other young peregrine may just decide it's a nice place with a good view and give it a go as well - as last year there were 3 females vying for the box.

Only time will tell now as the Ravens have pretty much moved in and as far as they're concerned it was vacant and they've paid their rent and fixed the place up.

You're totally right and I agree...the nestbox was basically open for business and they took the opportunity.  As I have written before, we will at least be able to witness the behavior of Ravens and how they raise their young.  It will be a new adventure!
Let's all keep our fingers, toes and anything else we can cross, that no battles will happen. 
HAPPY ENDINGS FOR ALL!!!