I am not far from raven territory but by no means do I live in raven
habitat.  Yet each winter, usually February and March, a pair makes a
circuit around the farm fields.  They may stay a couple of days and then
they disappear.  They are extremely vocal.

Are they passing through?  Is it one of the pairs that might be nesting on
nearby South Mountain?  Perhaps it is somehow related to courtship?

Steve Huy
Middletown, MD


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Gwen Brewer
Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 8:10 AM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Common Raven in Charles Co.

Well, how's this for a start to your day....  At 7 am, I heard a low
croaking coming from the back yard in Waldorf.  My days in Allegany County
tuned my ears to that sound, and I sprinted downstairs as fast as I could.
Sure enough, there was a Common Raven sitting on top of our shed!  I could
see the long throat feathers extend out as the raven called a few more
times, and two head tufts sticking up slightly.  The massive bill is always
impressive on these birds.  I ran back upstairs for a camera, but alas, the
resident photographer (George Jett) had the digital cameras (and is stuck at
the Bay Bridge on his way to a Baltimore Bird Club trip to Poplar Island).
Rather than take the time to load one of the "oldies" up with film, I went
back down for another look at the bird, but it was already on the move.  I
just caught a glimpse of it as it flew off to the north, but unfortunately
did not get a clear shot at the tail shape.  I had hoped it would stay
around and sample the pork neck bones that we put out for the Red-shouldered
Hawks, but maybe we will be lucky and it will come back for a meal- when the
cameras are at the ready!

Gwen Brewer
Waldorf, MD