Some months back there was a thread about the scarcity of sightings of ravens
in the larger cities (Seattle, Vancouver). At the time, I noted that this
species is seen fairly regularly in downtown Victoria, usually in late summer
to winter.

The next step has occurred. As I speak, a pair of ravens is nest-building on
a covered ledge about 30 feet up on the old Victoria Public Library
building, Yates at Blanshard in Victoria...the building in which I work.

This should prove to be a good test of public acceptance of urban wildlife.
The nest is direcly above the entrance to Westcoast Savings (a bank)
occupying the main floor. Some fairly heafty sticks are falling from the
ledge as the male (?) brings them to the female (?) for "weaving". If
hatching is eventually successful, you can imagine what else will be
falling. And you can imagine the constant ruckus between the ravens and the
Northwestern Crows and Glaucous-winged Gulls, which also typically nest in
the general vicinity.

I hope they make it. They may help to reduce the population of roof-
nesting gulls by doing a number on their eggs and young. I suspect that the
gulls are here only because of our mishandling of garbage.

I will be encouraging the building manager to erect a catch platform
under the nest to protect passers-by If others have ideas, they would be
appreciated.

Bryan Gates, Victoria
bgates at assessment.env.gov.bc.ca