Prior to fall 2007 I had not recorded Common Ravens at McKee-Beshers, 
but I knew of a couple of fall records in previous years.  In late September 
and again in late October 2007 I heard one at some distance away.  Finally 
in November I saw one flying across the Potomac River from Virginia near the 
east end of Maddux Island and then presumably the same bird soaring high 
over the impoundments.
      I found them on all my November trips with the highlight being four 
birds (two pairs?)
circling overhead south of the impoundments on November 11.  I usually heard 
them in the general vicinity of Sycamore Landing.
     I started my winter counts on December 18 and didn't record any ravens 
until January 26 and 31 when I briefly heard one on my return trips, again 
near Sycamore Landing.  Yesterday (Feb 9) on my last winter towpath count I 
heard one briefly south of the east end of Maddux Island.  On my return trip 
when I was near Sycamore Landing Rd I heard one (same one?) flying overhead 
, but I was in an area where the vegetation prevented my seeing the bird.
    These observations are in line with the general trend in the eastern US 
of ravens expanding their range into areas they formerly occupied.
        This is a good time to put a plug in for E-bird www.ebird.org where 
this expansion can be documented if people would enter their sightings.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA