When first you see a particular raven,
chances are it’ll be on the move
in rapid flight, low between rows of trees
to avoid mobbing crows,
or making circles around a hill
on slow, strong wings,
or taking powerfully off from a perch
or from the ground.
Often, though, your first knowledge
of the presence of a raven
comes with its magical voice—
with croaks and gurgles
or sounds like dripping water
or South Africa’s clicking languages
or cries like from a human baby,
it makes its presence known.
Beech Hill List
Beginning at 8:30 a.m., I hiked the open trail.
1. Black-capped Chickadee**
2. Golden-crowned Kinglet (v)
3. American Crow* (v)
4. White-breasted Nuthatch (v)
5. American Goldfinch
6. Purple Finch (v)
7. Common Raven
8. Northern Flicker
9. Canada Goose
Elsewhere
10. Herring Gull
11. Rock Pigeon
v = Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: American crow, American goldfinch, black-capped chickadee, Canada goose, common raven, golden-crowned kinglet, herring gull, northern flicker, purple finch, rock pigeon, white-breasted nuthatch