The Ravens began this year in the same way as two years ago, by attempting to build in an unworkable location farther up the gorge. It seems likely that their reason then was the same as now: early exclusion from their preferred ledge at the falls by the territorial Peregrines nesting nearby. But the cost exacted two years ago was only a delay. A month later they succeeded in establishing a nest at the falls. Perhaps the Peregrines were too busy with their own brood at that point to prevent it. Might the Ravens be hoping for a repeat?
That brings me to a reconsideration of last year’s failures, which were speculatively attributed to a Great Horned Owl. I wonder if the Ravens and the Peregrines (nemesis species) might actually have destroyed each others’ broods? -Geo > On Mar 18, 2026, at 5:19 PM, [email protected] wrote: > > When inappropriately applied, Hope has high costs. > Sent from my iPhone > >>> On Mar 17, 2026, at 7:51 AM, Geo Kloppel <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >> >> Since a week ago, when their collection of sticks fell into the gorge, I >> have found the Raven pair several times in trees along the South Rim near >> the great falls, perched side by side where they have a view of their >> traditional ledge. But so far they haven’t brought (or haven’t succeeded in >> bringing) any building materials to it. Yesterday morning I watched at very >> close range as they were subjected to vigorous dive-bombing attacks by the >> male Peregrine, who finally drove them off their perch. They dropped down >> from the rim and fled, probably back up the gorge beyond the falls and out >> of the Peregrine’s immediate defensive perimeter. He took up a perch that >> had been theirs, and preened himself. >> >> -Geo -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: [email protected] Archives: The Mail Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
