June 23rd

We left the house at 6.30 a.m., and it was another wonderful summer morning, with a slight breeze coming from the West, the sun shining, and a very faint haze making the sky look very pale blue.

Today we went to Llandaff Fields, hoping to be picked up by one raven at the raven field - but no. 

There are lots of jackdaws around, and the wood pigeons have also become more numerous. 

The sea gulls had ripped open the bags of food waste in the streets, and had made an incredible noise just after sunrise. 

We haven't heard raven calls close to the house as we did in the winter and spring. I suspect the seagulls, who now have hatchlings in their nests, have become too aggressive for the ravens - they are pretty aggressive towards humans as well right now.

June 22nd

A beautiful summer morning again, dry and not chilly because the wind had died down. The sun was out, and tehre were little white clouds in the blue sky. We went out at 6.45 a.m.

We started again in Pontcanna Fields, hoping to catch a glimpse of a raven - but none were there. There were also no raven calls. Walking back to Llandaff Fields, with Bas and Karen, we saw none and heard none.

Later in the afternoon, walking to the patch behind the toddlers' playground, again not one raven was to be seen. I had to make that walk short because there was a huge amount of work for me to do in the house, preparing for tomorrow.

June 21st

We went to Pontcanna Fields, leaving the house at 6.40 a.m. It was a lovely, dry summer morning - a bit chilly still thanks to the NE wind.

No ravens to be seen or heard when we walked across that patch behind the toddlers' playground, towards the tree with the raven's nest.

No ravens to be seen on the huge expanse of Pontcanna Fields.

Later in the afternoon, there were too many people around in Llandaff Fields, and the ravens field, so again: no ravens.

But!!!!

Coming back from the obedience class in the evening, around 9 p.m., walking across the the patch behind the toddlers' playground, one raven was there. It looked like the Roman nosed one - he didn't come close, but did hop to pick up the few scraps, left over from the training, which I threw him.

Sunday, June 20th

Its being Sunday, we went out at 6.55 a.m. It was again overcast and felt chilly even though there was no breeze.

Having missed the ravens yesterday, we went to the ravens field straight away. 

On the way we saw a number of jackdaws on the ground in the big field. They definitely have their fledglings out now. We saw at least three of them, with parents in attendance. They look quite small, and often assume the juvenile food-begging position.

We also noticed that two different couples with one fledgling each sat with them, quite closely, when the rest of the jackdaws dispersed as a few seagulls came flying over. 

These jackdaws looked very protective.

In the ravens field, only the pale-chested one of the quarry pair came when we were half-way across. He was very skittish, but did pick up some scraps and then flew off towards the allotments, in the direction of the nest.

Later, as we were on the way back towards the spinney, the bold raven made a brief appearance, picking up quite a few scraps before flying off. 

He looked a bit distracted.  

So I am daring to hope that there may indeed be a fledgling or two getting ready to join the rest!

June 19th

We went out at 6.30 a.m., trying to get to the part of Pontcanna Fields where the tree with the ravens nest is. It was a bit overcast and felt a bit chilly, but there was no rain or even dampness.

Best-laid-plans and all that: we ran into Bas and Karen, and walked together round Pontcanna Fields, so no ravens ...

Later in the afternoon, the sun had come out. It was warm, with a bit of a chilly breeze now, and there were lots and lots of people in the park - everywhere! Even on the ravens field which we reached after our long walk round Llandaff Fields!

So - no ravens ...