Subject: [Tweeters] Ravens - Des Moines, and other local areas
Date: Mar 6 17:50:11 2014
From: Carol & Lynn Schulz - carol.schulz50 at gmail.com


Hi Tweets:
We have Common Ravens that have bred in the woods near the north end of Des Moines Creek Park for several years. There have been odd calls and excited behavior from one or two of them around here lately. The calls don't sound like the usual gronk calls. We occasionally see one or two flying together and calling in Des Moines, but only occasionally.
A week ago, one Raven flew to several different trees along our main arterial road, S 216th St going down into Des Moines calling various calls as if to challenge other birds. No other birds showed up, not even the crows. Now, this evening at 5pm after a little shower, two Ravens flew silently over our street. After a few minutes, the two flew back to the north carrying sticks. Maybe for a nest.
Last Sat, Mar 2, a RAS field trip group stood at the Dash Point Park and Pier and watched a pair of Ravens flying closely together over Dash Point State Park which is near Federal Way. They have been heard at that park at times, probably for several years. I understand they also have been seen in West Seattle. Ravens are pretty uncommon here in the lowlands near Seattle, so it is interesting to see a few of them making a living here in urban and suburban areas.
Yours, Carol Schulz
Des Moines