A pair spent the winter between Hale Barns and Newall Green which was a new occurence for the area. Seem to be spreading to lowland areas to winter but breeding sites are very limited locally unless they take to nesting in trees? This is only one place however and my sightings only add to Steve's data which is much more representitive.
As the one who writes up the Corvid section of the County Bird Report, yes they are increasing - rapidly!
The Breeding Bird Survey reported a threefold increase in numbers seen between 2006 and 2007. This may have involved some element of chance but nationally numbers increased by 50% over the same brief period. There were only 3 confirmed nests in 2007 but a few more sites have been occupied since then. There is really no reason why the expansion should not continue. There are plenty of suitable nest sites in our town centres, plenty of rubbish for them to feed on and little persecution these days.
We went through most of last year at Elton without seeing one, then towards the end of the year sightings of Raven started to occur. Now there is a pair that are regularly seen although there is no sign of them breeding here (there are often sightings of just one bird). Perhaps they are spreading. It's nice to have them here anyway - just need a few Rooks now!
I have only just joined this web site since the Waxwing flock in my garden in January but am amazed at the numbers of Raven sightings reported even well into Spring and in lowland areas.
Is there a population of non-breeders in our area that cannot establish a breeding territory or are they being forced from their usual upland habitats by increasing numbers.
I would welcome others views on this.
P.S. this isn't sour grapes because I yet to see one to my satisfaction in GM -- though had a couple of possibles around AMR in Feb during the harsh weather.
