April 6th

THE VERY BRIEF NOTES I TOOK OVER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS ARE NOW POSTED BELOW, TO MAKE THE  RAVEN 'DIARY' UP TO DATE.

It was mild and overcast when we left the house at 7.40 a.m. BST. There had been a couple of raven calls earlier in the morning, but there were none when we got to Llandaff Fields.

The park was reasonably empty of dogs, as lots of people are still away on their Easter Breaks.

We walked round the long way, which now looks like becoming the established route, and got to the ravens field via the small arboretum, walking along the fence to the allotments before we crossed over to the top enclosure.

As we walked along the fence, we could hear raven calls, but did not see where the ravens were sitting.

It took a few scraps thrown into the enclosure before a pair appeared: my bold pair! 

April 5th, Easter Monday

Grey but a bit milder this morning, as there was no arctic wind. No sun either.

We left at 7.40 a.m. BST, walking round the long way (quarry side, small arboretum, ravens field from the arboretum end), and did not see or hear any ravens.

We then walked round the enclosure, and while I threw the first scraps I also tried to train Miss Sophie to sit. She did that, getting some scraps as reward, and was thus not disturbing the ravens which eventually did turn up.

It was my bold pair, and the bold one, doing all his usual things, again came so close, at one point he sat on a fence post just about a yard away from us. 

I had nearly run out of scraps, and as Miss Sophie spied some dogs in the distance and got nervous and distracted, we went home the no-more-food way.

The ravens did not follow us.

April 4th, Easter Sunday

Out at 7.45 a.m., weather as yesterday, but with both a bit more sun and, unfortunately, NW wind. So it was nice where sheltered, but cold where not.

Again walked the long way round, no ravens, not even in the ravens field. No raven calls either.

The Ash trees are breaking out into flowers, the Oaks are still looking totally dead. It was the same last year, and the old rule (ash before oak - in for a soak, oak before ash - in for a dash) was utterly confirmed, with the wettest July in Wales for decades, and wer and cold August as well ...

Later, around 2 p.m. in Pontcanna Fields, we did see a pair of ravens, first in the paddock next to the river/lower field, then they flew up to the tree-lined avenue, where they drank from the puddles. I did throw a couple of scraps, not sure if this was my bold pair. At least they did not fly off ...

April 3rd, Holy Saturday

Out at 7.30, felt milder than the last two mornings as hardly any wind. Dry, still overcast.

Walked round the long way again, no raven calls at first, then, as we went along the wall to the allotments at the ravens field, ravens called, and we made our way to the enclosure, walking round once without any ravens - then a second time, the ravens came.

Sophie, on the lead, jumped at them and barked (First Time Outdoor Bark!!), jigging my arm, so I spilled all the scraps on the grass ... Still, the ravens (the bold pair, natch, who else!) were not scared off, and got all the scraps to eat.

Saw some ravens when out later, p.m., in Pontcanna Fields - but none came close. They did quork, though.

April 2nd, Good Friday

Out at 7.30 a.m., cold, darkish, no sun, damp, wind from the West.

Walking round the long way, one raven on the top of a rugby goal post, flying to a young lime tree along the Horse Chestnut Avenue, watching us. His companion also appeared, flying to the ground. I threw a couple of scraps, but then we walked on. I think this was the quarry pair.

Into the ravens field, walking along the tennis court hedge, not into the middle to the enclosures because of Otis and Tyler - Miss Sophie being apprehensive. Along the wall to the allotments - two ravens flying into one of the maples, one making croaking sounds. I threw some scraps - they came to the ground: the bold pair, no doubt about that!

We kept walking on, because I'm still working to get Miss Sophie to feel secure and relaxed in this park.

Interestingly, I dreamt of the ravens last night, they came flying to the ground, so close as to make us stop, and asked why I hadn't fed them ...