Subject: Banded Raven in Hoh Rain Forest
Date: Feb 14 18:07:29 2004
From: waxwing - waxwing at olypen.com


Tweeters,

The banded ravens (and other corvids) in the Hoh campground and vicinity
were from a study by Dr. John Marzluff from the University of Washington.
See the following for more information:

http://www.cfr.washington.edu/people/Faculty/Marzluff/research.htm

http://www.sei.org/murrelet.html

Ironically, one of the interesting things this study showed was that the
higher density of corvids in areas around campgrounds (caused by people
feeding the ravens, crows and jays either intentionally or unintentionally -
through their trash) was having a negative effect on the nesting success of
marbled murrelets and other birds in the old-growth forest. It seems with
the elevated numbers of corvids came increased predation on the other birds
of the area.

Why is it that people think they have to feed wild animals? This is banned
in the National Parks for good reason.

Roger Hoffman
Port Angeles WA

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Tangren family
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 7:35 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Banded Raven in Hoh Rain Forest

In March 2001 I gave my daughter and her school roommates from
Pennsylvania a mini-tour of Washington State. One of the stops,
of course, was the Hoh Rain Forest. Amongst the highlights of
he quiet drizzle through the soft greens of the towering ecosystem
was a raven who came up and introduced itself to us in the parking
lot. It was also equipped with color bands, and a radio transmitter.
We were told it was part of a corvid behavioral study. We offered
it the one thing we had in the car, a banana, which we peeled
first. I believe these girls, non-birders, will always know the
raven as the bird flying off through the mist and deep forest with
with this tropical fruit, a whole peeled banana, in its beak,
possibly to share with its mate.

--Jerry <tangren.family at verizon.net>