Thursday 2 July 2009

Back after at least 100 years.

The news of Ravens once again breeding in Kent has now been published. It is always a difficult decision, balancing the need for protection against the desire to tell all interested parties the good news. Today the story appeared on the BBC News website with details give by Property manager Simon Ovenden.

The last time Ravens bred in the area was around 1890, according to Norman Ticehurst, A History of the Birds of Kent(1909). For the last couple of years there have been odd sightings on or two Ravens in the area, so when it became obvious that they were staying around it was fingers crossed.

At least three young fledged around the 7th of May, and the sight of them clambering around the top of the cliffs was a momentous occasion.

This one took a rather wobbly flight along the cliff top and made a hurried landing in the grass.

They were mostly just over the edge of the cliff and I am not that good with heights. If my legs hadn't gone a bit weak at the knees I think I would have been able to get a better picture, as it is I had to make do with the head and upper body. There are more pictures of these historic birds here.

3 comments:

JRandSue said...

Great show,brilliant news.
History in the making.
Well captured.
John.

Kingsdowner said...

Glad you got to show your great photos at last Tony. Hopefully they'll repeat their success next year.
I met Simon Ovenden in the spring, and he's a great bloke, by the way.

Mike Watson said...

Great news about the ravens Tony! Would be interesting to know how many English counties do not have them now - probably in the minority? BR Mike