[EBB Sightings] Common Raven nest in Oakland

Dear EBBers;

I was awakened this morning by the raucous calls of several Ravens.  Though common in my neighborhood in the Rockridge area of the Oakland Hills,  I usually only see 1 or 2 pairs of adult birds.  Stepping out the front door into my court, I counted 5 Ravens on a neighboring house's roof.  An adult, noticeably larger than the other birds, had a large morsel in it's talons that it would pick at and share with the begging fledglings.  They were making quite a ruckus as they begged for food.  When the feeding was over, they all retreated to a large redwood branch in the next yard.  I suspect that the nest is in that tree as the adults have been in and out of there all summer.

That brings to 5 species this year that I've observed feeding fledglings in my yard or court: Lesser Goldfinches, Anna's Hummingbirds, Mourning Doves, and House Finches.  None exotic, but fun to watch.  A Black-headed Grosbeak has also been making regular appearances at the feeder this year.  I usually get them though for several days in April, but have never observed them all summer at the feeders.

As the native plants on the hillside reach their 5th year of grown and the understory is filling in, more birds seem to be calling the garden their home.  A good reason to plant natives, in addition to the water savings.  As an indication of how dry the year is, though, I've had to water monthly to keep things looking green.  Except for the 1st year that they were getting established, this is the first year that it's been necessary.

Cheers,

Pat Bacchetti