Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
They’re amazing numbers - it’s likely you’re seeing post breeding juvenile groups. How and why these groups form and function is part of Bernd Heinrich’s classic studies. Two of his books - 'Mind of the Raven' and 'Ravens in Winter' are both worth reading on this. (Especially the latter - one of my favorite books) As in interesting corollary - I’m also seeing way more ravens right now back on my upland farm in the northern UK. They were rare here before I moved to the US. The winter courtship is well underway and nesting will start soon. Although nothing like your numbers, the range expansion seems truly widespread. Great news! cheers, Dom *Dominic Garcia-Hall* *www.antbirds.com <http://www.antbirds.com/>* *NY +1 917 740 1945* *UK +44 161 408 4002* On Sat, 2 Dec 2017 at 04:47, Andrew Mason <andyma...@earthling.net> wrote: > The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Soc. has been using trail cameras baited with > road-killed deer to determine winter Golden Eagle presence in the Catskills > and central NY over the past few years. The numbers of ravens coming in to > these sites is astonishing--hundreds at a time on occasion. So many that > they can strip a full grown deer carcass to the bones in a day. > > When I began birding in the 1980s, it was necessary to travel to the > Adirondacks to have a chance of seeing a raven--what a range expansion! > > Here's a link to a photo of a modest congregation at one site: > https://photos.app.goo.gl/a3EAuqzCZgYkjN6D3. > > Andy Mason > > > > On 12/1/2017 3:25 PM, Andrew Block wrote: > > Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a flock, > but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks sometimes much > larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large mammal. I have > personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, back in the mid 80's > flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my mind when I realized they > were ravens. It's so great to have them around here. > > Andrew > > *Andrew v. F. Block* > *Consulting Naturalist* > 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=20+Hancock+Avenue,+Apt.+3+%0D+Yonkers,+Westchester+Co.,+New+York+10705=gmail=g> > Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=20+Hancock+Avenue,+Apt.+3+%0D+Yonkers,+Westchester+Co.,+New+York+10705=gmail=g> > -4629 > Phone: 914-963-3080 <(914)%20963-3080>; Cell: 914-319-9701 > <(914)%20319-9701> > www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums > > > -- > *From:* Shaibal Mitra <shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu> > <shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu> > *To:* "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> > <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> > *Sent:* Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > *Subject:* [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk > Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags > over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this > morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to > see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our > binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: > "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south > of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but > there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped > in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The > group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were > still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek > Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger > than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe > along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about > right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering > ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows > would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
They’re amazing numbers - it’s likely you’re seeing post breeding juvenile groups. How and why these groups form and function is part of Bernd Heinrich’s classic studies. Two of his books - 'Mind of the Raven' and 'Ravens in Winter' are both worth reading on this. (Especially the latter - one of my favorite books) As in interesting corollary - I’m also seeing way more ravens right now back on my upland farm in the northern UK. They were rare here before I moved to the US. The winter courtship is well underway and nesting will start soon. Although nothing like your numbers, the range expansion seems truly widespread. Great news! cheers, Dom *Dominic Garcia-Hall* *www.antbirds.com <http://www.antbirds.com/>* *NY +1 917 740 1945* *UK +44 161 408 4002* On Sat, 2 Dec 2017 at 04:47, Andrew Mason wrote: > The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Soc. has been using trail cameras baited with > road-killed deer to determine winter Golden Eagle presence in the Catskills > and central NY over the past few years. The numbers of ravens coming in to > these sites is astonishing--hundreds at a time on occasion. So many that > they can strip a full grown deer carcass to the bones in a day. > > When I began birding in the 1980s, it was necessary to travel to the > Adirondacks to have a chance of seeing a raven--what a range expansion! > > Here's a link to a photo of a modest congregation at one site: > https://photos.app.goo.gl/a3EAuqzCZgYkjN6D3. > > Andy Mason > > > > On 12/1/2017 3:25 PM, Andrew Block wrote: > > Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a flock, > but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks sometimes much > larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large mammal. I have > personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, back in the mid 80's > flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my mind when I realized they > were ravens. It's so great to have them around here. > > Andrew > > *Andrew v. F. Block* > *Consulting Naturalist* > 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=20+Hancock+Avenue,+Apt.+3+%0D+Yonkers,+Westchester+Co.,+New+York+10705=gmail=g> > Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705 > <https://maps.google.com/?q=20+Hancock+Avenue,+Apt.+3+%0D+Yonkers,+Westchester+Co.,+New+York+10705=gmail=g> > -4629 > Phone: 914-963-3080 <(914)%20963-3080>; Cell: 914-319-9701 > <(914)%20319-9701> > www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums > > > ------ > *From:* Shaibal Mitra > > *To:* "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" > > *Sent:* Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > *Subject:* [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk > Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags > over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this > morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to > see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our > binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: > "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south > of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but > there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped > in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The > group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were > still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek > Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger > than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe > along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about > right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering > ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows > would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Soc. has been using trail cameras baited with road-killed deer to determine winter Golden Eagle presence in the Catskills and central NY over the past few years. The numbers of ravens coming in to these sites is astonishing--hundreds at a time on occasion. So many that they can strip a full grown deer carcass to the bones in a day. When I began birding in the 1980s, it was necessary to travel to the Adirondacks to have a chance of seeing a raven--what a range expansion! Here's a link to a photo of a modest congregation at one site: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a3EAuqzCZgYkjN6D3. Andy Mason On 12/1/2017 3:25 PM, Andrew Block wrote: > Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a > flock, but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks > sometimes much larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large > mammal. I have personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, > back in the mid 80's flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my > mind when I realized they were ravens. It's so great to have them > around here. > > Andrew > *Andrew v. F. Block* > /Consulting Naturalist/ > 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 > Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629 > Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 > www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums > > > > *From:* Shaibal Mitra <shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu> > *To:* "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> > *Sent:* Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > *Subject:* [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, > Suffolk Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated > zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing > I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk > County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me > to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising > our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization > simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the > south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at > another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of > the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least > 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, > but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, > including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks > larger than a family group, even in places where they are common > (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought > that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly > outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of > 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > > -- > *NYSbirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> > ABA <http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01> > *Please submit your observations to **eBird* > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>*!* >
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Soc. has been using trail cameras baited with road-killed deer to determine winter Golden Eagle presence in the Catskills and central NY over the past few years. The numbers of ravens coming in to these sites is astonishing--hundreds at a time on occasion. So many that they can strip a full grown deer carcass to the bones in a day. When I began birding in the 1980s, it was necessary to travel to the Adirondacks to have a chance of seeing a raven--what a range expansion! Here's a link to a photo of a modest congregation at one site: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a3EAuqzCZgYkjN6D3. Andy Mason On 12/1/2017 3:25 PM, Andrew Block wrote: > Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a > flock, but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks > sometimes much larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large > mammal. I have personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, > back in the mid 80's flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my > mind when I realized they were ravens. It's so great to have them > around here. > > Andrew > *Andrew v. F. Block* > /Consulting Naturalist/ > 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 > Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629 > Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 > www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums > > > > *From:* Shaibal Mitra > *To:* "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" > *Sent:* Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > *Subject:* [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, > Suffolk Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated > zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing > I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk > County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me > to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising > our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization > simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the > south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at > another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of > the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least > 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, > but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, > including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks > larger than a family group, even in places where they are common > (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought > that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly > outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of > 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > > -- > *NYSbirds-L List Info:* > Welcome and Basics <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm> > Rules and Information <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm> > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > <http://www.northeastbirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm> > *Archives:* > The Mail Archive > <http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html> > Surfbirds <http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L> > ABA <http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01> > *Please submit your observations to **eBird* > <http://ebird.org/content/ebird/>*!* > -- -- Andrew Mason 1039 Peck St. Jefferson, NY 12093 (607) 652-2
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Interesting bit of information. I seem to recall that it's said that one way to separate Chihuahuan from Common Raven in Arizona / New Mexico is that only Chihuahuans occur in flocks. Maybe that is true in that area, but could this cast some doubt on that? I didn't think about it all that much a few weeks ago when hawk watching near Port Jervis, NY, but at one point a group of 9 or 10 Common Ravens flew by. A couple of years ago, upon coming back from this trip, I reported on up to 40 apparently going to a roost near the pull off south of the Bear Mountain Bridge. No sign of that on this year's trip (although up to 50 Black Vultures likely going to a roost closer to the bridge made for an impressive sight). Steve Walter -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Interesting bit of information. I seem to recall that it's said that one way to separate Chihuahuan from Common Raven in Arizona / New Mexico is that only Chihuahuans occur in flocks. Maybe that is true in that area, but could this cast some doubt on that? I didn't think about it all that much a few weeks ago when hawk watching near Port Jervis, NY, but at one point a group of 9 or 10 Common Ravens flew by. A couple of years ago, upon coming back from this trip, I reported on up to 40 apparently going to a roost near the pull off south of the Bear Mountain Bridge. No sign of that on this year's trip (although up to 50 Black Vultures likely going to a roost closer to the bridge made for an impressive sight). Steve Walter -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
There has been large groups of Common (really) Ravens at Minnewaska State Park near New Paltz, Ulster County for the last few years. Scott Baldinger has been keeping close tabs on them with his regular Tuesday Early Birders Walks. Richard Guthrie On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 3:19 PM, Kevin J. McGowan <k...@cornell.edu> wrote: > Undoubtedly a winter non-breeder group. I remember less than a decade ago > my first encounter in the state with such a group in eastern Cortland > County. I realized that there were now enough ravens breeding in New York > that the juveniles could find each other. Looks like that might be true in > your area now. > > Kevin McGowan > Ithaca > > -Original Message- > From: bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-122096022- > 3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra > Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > To: NYSBIRDS-L <nysbird...@list.cornell.edu> > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk > Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags > over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this > morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to > see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our > binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: > "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south > of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but > there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped > in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The > group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were > still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek > Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger > than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe > along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about > right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering > ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows > would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > -- Richard Guthrie -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
There has been large groups of Common (really) Ravens at Minnewaska State Park near New Paltz, Ulster County for the last few years. Scott Baldinger has been keeping close tabs on them with his regular Tuesday Early Birders Walks. Richard Guthrie On Fri, Dec 1, 2017 at 3:19 PM, Kevin J. McGowan wrote: > Undoubtedly a winter non-breeder group. I remember less than a decade ago > my first encounter in the state with such a group in eastern Cortland > County. I realized that there were now enough ravens breeding in New York > that the juveniles could find each other. Looks like that might be true in > your area now. > > Kevin McGowan > Ithaca > > -Original Message- > From: bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-122096022- > 3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra > Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM > To: NYSBIRDS-L > Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk > Co., LI > > Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags > over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this > morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. > > Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to > see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our > binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: > "They're ALL ravens!" > > A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south > of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but > there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped > in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The > group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were > still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek > Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. > > Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger > than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe > along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about > right for the total population on all of Long Island. > > Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. > > The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. > Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering > ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows > would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. > > Shai Mitra > Bay Shore > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > > -- > > NYSbirds-L List Info: > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm > http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm > > ARCHIVES: > 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html > 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L > 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 > > Please submit your observations to eBird: > http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ > > -- > > -- Richard Guthrie -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a flock, but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks sometimes much larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large mammal. I have personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, back in the mid 80's flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my mind when I realized they were ravens. It's so great to have them around here. Andrew Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Naturalist 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629 Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums From: Shaibal Mitra <shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu> To: "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Nice sighting. It is very rare for around here to see so many in a flock, but out West they are frequently seen in medium sized flocks sometimes much larger usually at a feeding site such as a dead large mammal. I have personally seen a flock of 80-100 in Unity, Maine, back in the mid 80's flying over the Unity College campus. It blew my mind when I realized they were ravens. It's so great to have them around here. Andrew Andrew v. F. Block Consulting Naturalist 20 Hancock Avenue, Apt. 3 Yonkers, Westchester Co., New York 10705-4629 Phone: 914-963-3080; Cell: 914-319-9701 www.flickr.com/photos/conuropsis/albums From: Shaibal Mitra To: "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Undoubtedly a winter non-breeder group. I remember less than a decade ago my first encounter in the state with such a group in eastern Cortland County. I realized that there were now enough ravens breeding in New York that the juveniles could find each other. Looks like that might be true in your area now. Kevin McGowan Ithaca -Original Message- From: bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L <nysbird...@list.cornell.edu> Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE:[nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Undoubtedly a winter non-breeder group. I remember less than a decade ago my first encounter in the state with such a group in eastern Cortland County. I realized that there were now enough ravens breeding in New York that the juveniles could find each other. Looks like that might be true in your area now. Kevin McGowan Ithaca -Original Message- From: bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-122096022-3714...@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Shaibal Mitra Sent: Friday, December 1, 2017 2:43 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
On larger raven flocks (probably juvenile "gangs") See Bernd Heinrich's excellent "Ravens in Winter" (1989). Rick Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device Original message From: Shaibal Mitra <shaibal.mi...@csi.cuny.edu> Date:12/01/2017 2:42 PM (GMT-05:00) To: "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> Cc: Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
RE: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
On larger raven flocks (probably juvenile "gangs") See Bernd Heinrich's excellent "Ravens in Winter" (1989). Rick Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device Original message From: Shaibal Mitra Date:12/01/2017 2:42 PM (GMT-05:00) To: "NYSBIRDS (NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu)" Cc: Subject: [nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nysbirds-l] Astonishing High Count for Common Raven, Suffolk Co., LI
Watching a Prothonotary Warbler flying around me in low, repeated zig-zags over open ground on 1 December wasn't the most unusual thing I saw this morning at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, Suffolk County, Long Island. Pat had seen a couple of Common Ravens before I arrived and wanted me to see them. "There's a raven," she said, "with those crows." Raising our binoculars, we came to the same shocking realization simultaneously: "They're ALL ravens!" A flock of more than 30 Common Ravens rose above the treeline to the south of property; I counted 23 at one point, and Pat counted 30 at another, but there were clearly more based on the way that portions of the flock dipped in and out of sight. One of my photos shows at least 21 in the frame. The group gradually dispersed westward and southward, but ten or more were still visible at times over the next hour or so, including when Derek Rogers stopped by to see if I was ok. Prior to this I wasn't aware that Common Ravens occurred in flocks larger than a family group, even in places where they are common (except maybe along salmon runs in Alaska), and I would have thought that 30 was about right for the total population on all of Long Island. Perhaps there is an overnight roost there or nearby, to be worked out. The statuses of Long Island Corvus have changed beyond recognition. Whereas we used to have Twa Corbies, with brachrhynchos vastly outnumbering ossifragus, now there are Trois--and nowadays a count of 30 American Crows would be quite notable anywhere on western LI. Shai Mitra Bay Shore -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01 Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
