March 25th

Today, I managed to make it out of the house at 6.40 a.m. So it wasn't that much earlier - but as it was again a grey morning, slightly damp, mild, but without sun, that wasn't too bad, considering ...

There had been no calls, nor were there any as I got into the big field. Even at the top, past the enclosure, there were no calls, nor a raven to be seen.

Meanwhile, even the last handful of blackheaded seagulls have left and gone to their breeding grounds, so there were no huge flocks to scare the ravens off. The dog population also was exceedingly reduced this morning - just Jess, a young Border Collie, having a romp.

I walked on into the ravens field, and saw one raven perched on the topmost branch of the maple which stand right next to the fence of the tennis courts. He did not come down until I had reached the enclosure - and thrown a few scraps into it.

Then, his companion joined him there, both again keeping away from where I stood. So - that had to be the young pair. 

They did follow me on the ground when I walked back towards the spinney, the 'more food' way. They approached to within a couple of yards, provided I did not turn round and look at them. 

When I did, they turned their backs and walked away a few steps, but did not fly off.

Once they had collected a few scraps, they did fly off, towards the allotments.

I walked on into the big field, no ravens came until I was well past the enclosure and past the middle of this field. 

Then, the quarry pair arrived - still skittish, but happy to get the remaining scraps.

The bold pair did not come today.

This is the time of year when the ravens start breeding, so it is possible that the bold pair is thus occupied, while both the young and the quarry pair are not yet sexually mature to start breeding, wherefore they still appear together.

I'll endeavour to get out even earlier tomorrow, regardless of the weather.