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Breaking

Durham Police Operation targets Raptor Poisoning

Investigation launched after bird of prey found poisoned near Peterborough

New lead for Poaching Priority Delivery Group in England & Wales

Partners carry out warrant in East Dorset after bird of prey reportedly poisoned

Suspected peregrine falcon shooting in Gwynedd sparks joint police and RSPCA appeal

Operation to protect marine wildlife underway on Yorkshire Coast

Man cautioned for using Larsen Trap with live decoy pigeons

Operation EASTER ~ 24 years of stopping egg thieves and egg collectors

Kestrel shot and killed in Leeds as police launch appeal to find suspects

Northumbria Police appeal for information as satellite tagged hen harrier goes missing

Vacancy for chair of Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group – Chief Inspector or Superintendent Required

Poaching Priority Delivery Group looking for new chair

Red Kite shot near Cotswolds village

Buzzard killing in Yorkshire Dales sparks anger after birds "lured to their deaths" by eagle owl decoys on grouse moor

Essex Police: Hare coursing orders secured

Milton Keynes man sentenced for attempting to fraudulently obtain permit for the skull of an endangered species of deer

A new national lead for the Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group

PSNI probe after fears two peregrine falcons were poisoned in Belfast

NWCU support Sussex Police - endangered species seized

Canadian company ordered to pay $163,776 fine for illegally importing European eel meat


Home / Animal of the Month / Raven

Raven


raven6658LCampbell-aThe raven is the largest of our UK corvids, being much the same size as a buzzard. It looks rather like a giant carrion crow, all black, but with a much more powerful bill. In flight its tail is wedge-shaped, that probably being the best identifier. A raven is often seen before it is heard, and its characteristic prukk, prukk, call often draws attention to it as it soars high in the sky. The raven is found in a variety of habitats, though mainly, moorland, mountains and cliffs. Its preference for cliff-nesting often means it has a nesting peregrine as a near neighbour, though the two species seem to co-exist successfully. It is one of our earliest nesting birds, with more southern populations starting to lay eggs in mid-February, and those further north laying eggs by early April. A pair of adult ravens will hold a territory, and use the same nest or nests year after year. Younger ravens are chased out of the territory and are often found feeding in flocks on farmland. raven7848LCampbell-a

As a typical member of the crow family, the raven’s diet is varied, but includes birds’ eggs, young birds and carrion. Taking game bird eggs brings the bird into conflict with game management, and the fact that it sometimes picks the eyes out of sheep that are lambing or stuck on their back can bring it into conflict with farmers. Some licences are issued to deal with ravens causing a serious problem to agriculture, but occasionally the bird is shot illegally or its nest is deliberately interfered with, causing failure of the eggs or chicks. Egg collectors, for whatever reason, regularly target clutches of raven eggs. This may be because it is one of the earliest nesters or because the nests are a challenge to climb up to (or abseil down to). Ravens nesting on coastal areas of north Wales are often the population that suffers most from this strange breed of criminal.


  • NWCU & Police Press Releases

    • Three Kent men jailed for hunting and killing badgers,...
      September 28, 2020
    • Rural police operation to make North Yorkshire a no-go...
      August 21, 2020
    • Appeal for information after analysis reveals buzzard...
      July 24, 2020
    • North Yorkshire Buzzard killed by combination of four...
      May 27, 2020
    • Man charged with Raptor Persecution crimes in Stewartry
      April 9, 2020
  • Wildlife Crime Press Coverage

    • Durham Police Operation targets Raptor Poisoning
      April 21, 2021
    • Investigation launched after bird of prey found poisoned...
      April 20, 2021
    • New lead for Poaching Priority Delivery Group in England...
      April 20, 2021
    • Partners carry out warrant in East Dorset after bird...
      April 13, 2021
    • Suspected peregrine falcon shooting in Gwynedd sparks...
      April 6, 2021


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