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Subject:

Common Raven in Charles

From:

"George M. Jett"

Reply-To:

George M. Jett

Date:

Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:28:29 -0500

Folks

About 5:30 PM, while filling the suet feeder on the deck, I heard a Common 
Raven calling.  The bird flew from the SE toward the house and directly over 
the shed, the shed that one was setting on March 18.  Maybe the same bird?

This all dark, thick necked, heavy billed, large corvid continued to call. 
Two calls at a time, twice.  I saw the bird call as it flew over the house. 
Large bill, all black body, and wedge-shape tail - what a surprise and 
treat.  I called back and the bird circled and landed in a Pine Tree about 
200 feet west of the house, but in horrible light.

It continued to call and continued to call back.  I ran to get the camera in 
hopes that it would fly toward the house in good light, and I would not have 
to write anything for the records committee.

I called Gwen, then Phil Davis in the hopes either could hear the bird 
calling over the phone for a second observer, but while on the phone it 
remanded quiet.  I followed the bird down Bland Street as it moved further 
into the woods.  It called many time (always the same call and in double 
notes twice for nearly 15 minutes), but never came back toward the house.

I will have beef fat in the drive in the morning for hopefully a return and 
photos.

Other birds of note tonight were a second Kingfisher of the season calling, 
flying north, and three Great Blue Herons heading out to feed.

If this is the same bird, it may have been feeding in the area for some 
time.  Gwen speculated that it may be a young bird that does not yet have a 
mate, and is just wondering around.  Good thing she is tolerant of my 
feeding practices in the drive.

Any avid county listers can meet me in the driveway at 7 AM tomorrow and I 
will understand.

What a thrill!

George Jett
Waldorf, MD 20603