one raven on the east stand yesterday. as well as usual kronking the bird was making clicking and knocking calls.does anyone know anything about these strange calls
a pair of ravens have been visiting the jjb on a regular basis.but they dont hang around.they tend to land on the girders high above the west stand and after a few minutes they move on.i dont think they are the same pair that nested last year.the pair last year were quite bold but these two are very wary.
A single Raven flew on to the West Stand roof this afternoon during Wigan v Portsmouth and about one hour later it or another flew over the North Stand
A Kestrel alighted briefly on the Ravens nest at the JJB this dinner time, the pair were then displaying in the area, hope they havent laid eggs in that nest, at the front of the roof of the stand, we havent played Bolton yet !!!
fred the moorhen nesting below the bridge sunday 19 april 7 eggs friday 24 2 left in nest called this morning 7.00 1 egg 1 chick in nest bird calling for chick to leave nest chick jumped in water now just 1 egg left just below the locks on the far bank canada goose nest 3 eggs in allso in pond near green bridge canada goose nest there 3 eggs but the swans keep chaseing them round the pond 2 kestrels over lime pond cheers bill
Unfortunately it seems the other pair of Ravens nesting in Wigan have also failed, two eggs and part of the nest were found underneath the nestsite a couple of weeks back, the birds dont seem to be in the area anymore which probably rules out a substitute clutch being laid
the ravens nest is easily viewable if you go to the gap between the north and east stands.cant see a bird but the nestsite would prevent this anyway as its high up.no sign of either bird. also a moorhen nesting below the bridge over the duggy at the south stand end.the nest is built between some lumps of wood and an asda trolley.im afraid one period of rain and its doomed. across the river and canal a carrion crow is sitting on its nest in the poplars by the old walmleys works. mute swan sitting on the limepond.very close to where the great white egret was a few weeks ago. reed buntings displaying on the marsh and a grey wagtail by the canal locks.
3 kestrel(lots of vocal and chivveying)spell check that one 2 mistle thrush quite a few pigeons 1 very showey raven perched up 'cronking' and moving around the stadium but very watchable from the corners.
I did expect a tap on the shoulder from 'security' but no one bothered me at all
The stadium manager whose name was Alan Sumner. Not that I'd have known the difference. They can do Highland dancing in there as far as I'm concerned as long as the birds are OK. Interestingy, I emailed the Wigan Observer about this thinking it would make a nice story for them. Not a dickybird..I wonder why? I bet the MEN would be interested.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
I was at the Wigan Beer Fest last Saturday in the sports hall opposite the stadium, but I didnt see the Ravens. Mind you, when we left, i couldnt identify myself never mind the nesting Ravens!!
Only got this news on my way to a training course at Stalybridge Joking apart the be and all is to make sure the birds do manage to succeed in there nesting and bringing up of there young so please will anyone who goes to the JJB or DW stadium as it will soon be known or who walks in this area in the next couple of months will they please keep an eye out for any raven activity in this area becuase these are protected birds and hopefully to be kept this way and a big thank you to Judith for getting everyone informed
Thanks for any help in this
Jimmy
-- Edited by j meadows on Wednesday 25th of March 2009 10:52:08 PM
Never thought i,d end up looking at a sports website,but just a thought maybe it,s time for a wider audience for this exiting news,both teams have website,s which might be one way of spreading the news and gathering support for their tolerance at the stadium.
Update: I went along to the JJB this morning with 2 police support officers and interviewed the manager. I made it perfectly clear that Ravens were protected and any interference with the nest would be a contravention of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. I think he got the message! He said they wanted to remove the nest after the chicks had fledged at the end of April. I said this was probably too early given that this is a first-time pair. Hopefully we will be able to find out when the chicks fledge from our source. Meanwhile I will try and find out what is the latest date for Ravens to fledge!!
Was that the stadium manager or the team manager?
The image of Judith giving Steve Bruce a ticking off would be priceless
Judith Ravens will use nests again and again, the fledling of a whole brood may take up to 5 weeks. they have been known to use the nests till the end of May.
Update: I went along to the JJB this morning with 2 police support officers and interviewed the manager. I made it perfectly clear that Ravens were protected and any interference with the nest would be a contravention of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. I think he got the message! He said they wanted to remove the nest after the chicks had fledged at the end of April. I said this was probably too early given that this is a first-time pair. Hopefully we will be able to find out when the chicks fledge from our source. Meanwhile I will try and find out what is the latest date for Ravens to fledge!!
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
my mate who works at robin park arena speaks daily to the jjb groundsmen.he says they dont want to pay for a cherry picker but prefer to wait till there are chicks then get a local falconer to dispose of them.i have been watching these birds all winter and was delighted to see them carrying sticks into the stadium.hope you are in time to stop this.the nest is very large and is in the rooof of the north stand.
I was informed on excellent authority today that Ravens have indeed got a nest in the North quarter of the JJB stadium. Very disturbingly, I was also informed that the staff are waiting for a cherry-picker to arrive so that they can destroy the nest and any eggs/chicks!
This would be an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as Ravens are protected.
I have reported this to Wigan police station. Unfortunately it's the Wildlife Liaison Officer's day off (Mark Ryding on 0161 856 7163) but a helpful officer has rung him at home and they are sending someone round to the stadium to warn them of the consequences should the nest be disturbed. (Incident numebr 429/25.3.09) The RSPCA local inspector will also call round (arranged by Paul Heaton).
So if you're going to the JJB, folks, to watch a match, be sure you're in the North part of the stadium.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
perched up 'cronking' and moving around the stadium but very watchable from the corners.