Nov 5th, 2009

Guy Fawkes Day - thankfully the little b*stards don't play with fireworks at this time of day!
It was bright and nippy, some clouds, and we got to the 'raven'-field at the better, earlier time of 7.45.

We hadn't seen any ravens on the way there - and there were none in the field when we arrived. But - as soon as I was level (though a good ten yards away) with the fenced-in plot, one came swooping down from the trees at the wall. He sat on a fence post, and I thought it was my bold friend.

I started throwing the scraps of meat - but he was acting timid, like the one two days ago. Then the second raven came - also timid. They did follow me round the fenced-in plot, but very carefully and ready for take-off. Even when I threw some scraps into the fenced-off plot, which they took, they were wary.
Madame was running free - well, sniffing around the whole fence, but well away from them, doing her own thing (like looking for any scraps the ravens might have left!!).

But then ... as we were walking back, the first raven followed us again to the big field, round the spinney and across the footpath - a lone cyclist coming along was no deterrent. I gave him one of the pellets, again - and again he flew away as soon as some more dogwalkers came along, further down the path.

Now I wonder: is this raven, who twice now was so timid, the same as my bold one? He certainly looked like him when he sat on the fence post! I definitely thought it was him when I saw him sitting there. Is it possible that he's been getting too close to other people and got scared away? Or that some dog chased him, and he's now frightened?

I'm speculating because while his behaviour - swooping down from the trees as soon as I turn up, the following around - is similar to that of the bold one, his timidity is not.
More observations needed ...!

One other noteworthy point: this raven (if it is the same), or better: the raven who comes first to ask for food, so far has always got the most of the scraps. The other has been coming later, and doesn't try to get to the scraps when he sees this first raven hop towards them.
Its not related to being in the open field: the same happened when they were both in the fenced-off pitch. The second raven also looks generally slighter.

Oh - and from the photos, I'd say the first, 'bold' raven is definitely one I've photographed earlier this year. He's got what I can only describe as a 'brow-ridge'. It was clearly visible today, when he was in the fenced-off plot.