April Monthly Meeting

Thursday, April 10, 2014 – Steve Broker – “Ravens at Their Nest”

The Common Raven extended its breeding range into CT in the late 1980s, and it now can be found throughout the state. A breeding pair has been observed closely at West Rock Ridge in Woodbridge since discovery of the nest in 2003. Tonight Steve will discuss raven life history strategies including pair bonding, mating, nest-building, egg-laying, hatching, foraging for and caching of food, feeding and fledging of young, play behavior, defense of territory, and how they get along with their neighboring nesting peregrine falcons. Steve is a member and past president of NHBC and is in his 10th year as secretary of COA. An avid devotee of bird counts, he has participated in 30 Christmas Bird Counts with NHBC, and numerous others in CT and other states. He has served as CT Statewide CBC compiler for 26 years. A devoted participant in Summer Bird Counts too, he was active in the CT Breeding Bird Atlas in the 1980s, and as a life-long summer resident on Cape Cod, he contributed many hours of field work for the recently completed Massachusetts Breeding Bird Atlas. His birding focus in CT is breeding Common Ravens and Peregrine Falcons at West Rock Ridge State Park. In Massachusetts, his focus is the marsh birds of the Outer Cape. A BONUS! After tonight’s informational lecture, you can further expand your experience of ravens on a field trip that Steve will lead just 3 days later. Don’t miss this splendid opportunity. (See Outdoor Trip description for Sunday, April 13).

Please Note: As per the Club’s by-laws, the April meeting is traditionally the Annual Meeting, which includes presentation of a slate of officers and their election.