Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Ed O'Connor on March 23, 2014, 06:37:17 PM
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A pair of Common Ravens harassed a Red-tailed Hawk on the southern edge of the Baselands this morning between 7:30 and 8:00. I heard one of the Ravens make that growling, croaking sound they give while it was flying across the open area to the south of the Wet Woods. It flew up to the top of a hydro pole where the other Raven sat, and they were bill touching until they noticed the hawk, when they both flew over to the tree where it was roosting. They didn't caw like crows but just sort of sat there glaring at the hawk until they got bored and flew off to the west. The two ravens looked to be about the same size as the hawk, if anything, slightly larger.
Not long after that, I saw a small flock of Bonaparte's Gulls flying overhead, going from east to west, and just after that a single Loon also flew over, but I didn't get a good enough look to say what type. Other interesting birds included four Horned Grebes, all singles, and all associating with Red-breasted Mergansers, although it was hard for any kind of waterfowl not to associate with the mergansers since they were everywhere. One of the Horned Grebes was noticeably paler than the others. Also three Red-necked Grebes, one single and a pair.
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I was there in the afternoon and missed all those, but did spot a T. V. Flying over as well as a snowy owl.
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I was there on Sunday, I saw the raven pair over the marina flying south at about 8:45am. While they were over the frozen lake, It looked like they were having a great time interacting with each other. It was like a hot summer day for them. They eventually settled on the rocky shores just north of the furthest northern peninsula, eating some scraps. It was nice seeing them.
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Today I watched two Ravens flying back and forth between the wet woods and the Portlands Energy Centre. As per the OntBirds post a couple of days ago they appear to be building a nest on the east smoke stack (Portlands has two twin stacks close together). I watched them tearing branches from trees and flying back to the highest platform, just above the stairway. Occasionally I could hear them "croaking" and once they were followed by a Ret-tail. I hope the officials at the energy centre don't boot them off. Wouldn't it be nice if they could successfully breed in the area?
-kris
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Apparently the people at the energy centre have been very cooperative in working with volunteers from TTP's bird research station, who are keeping a nest record on the Unwin Ave. Ravens. In this respect, it might be helpful to post your observations of these Ravens on this site (or on Ontbirds if you prefer), and like Kris, note the date, the time, and the type of activity observed (carrying nest material, interactions with other birds, etc.). This will help in putting together as complete a record as possible of the Ravens' nesting behaviour and perhaps adding to our knowledge of these enigmatic and fascinating birds.
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We went to see the Ravens on Sunday, March 30 at 4:40 pm. We saw one bird carrying nesting material to the tower. Then, we saw a Red-tailed Hawk flying into the area. A second Raven flew out and harassed the hawk, until it flew into the trees. Then, two Crows flew into the area. One of them harassed one of the Ravens and was chased off. The next combatant was a Peregrine Falcon! It took a couple dives at one of the Ravens, before flying off. That was quite an exciting few minute. Hopefully, the Ravens will still stay there, even with the hostile neighbours.
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The Raven pair were very active last night - one in aerial combat with a Red-tailed hawk - the Raven won. The other on the nest perhaps observing the action. Both flew over to the rubble pile near the fence and were seen preening, roaming around, flying into nearby trees or sitting atop posts on the road. Their croaking call was loud and clear! After about an hour they flew off down into the rubble and I didn't see them return. Fantastic birds to have so close at hand - easily observed but well protected behind a high fence and atop a tall tower. With luck they will nest successfully and more will be seen in the city in future.
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Still carrying nesting materials today but instead of sticks it looked like clumps of grass or moss. I was also able to observe the pair in the wet woods stripping bark from a tree. I wonder if this means that they are now working on lining the nest, possibly nearing the end of construction?? If so, any eager photographers may want to hurry down to catch them in the woods while they're still collecting materials. This activity occurred between 9:30 and 10:30 am today.
-kris