Falls of Clyde Nature Notes

There were over 50 of them playing together, foraging and flying overhead.

These ravens would be juveniles, as once they become adults they will pair off and defend a territory.

This roaming ‘gang’ of teenage ravens will have flocked together to enable them to find food more easily.

Interestingly, a study was carried out a few years ago that found gangs of ravens were more stressed than their adult counterparts.

After analysing their faeces for the abundance of a hormone associated with stress, they found gangs had more of the hormone than pairs.

The reasons the birds are more stressed is due to the competition for dominance and that group living is more energetically demanding.

The pressures of gang life could drive the juvenile ravens to setup home in a more stable adult ‘relationship’.

In a way, it is similar to human life – stressful being a teenager in a gang versus a more peaceful life in a pair.

So how can you tell a raven apart from all the other corvids?

It is much bigger (up to 130cm wingspan compared with carrion crows that are up to 100cm), has a very heavy looking bill and has a diamond/wedge shaped tail.

Ravens also have a very distinct voice which you can often hear when heading up towards the peregrine watch site at the Falls of Clyde.

They have nested here previously so fingers crossed they will do so next year!

Next week: Reporting badger road kill and why it is important.

LAURA WHITFIELD

Falls of Clyde Ranger