Species Focus

Raven Corvus corax in Breckland

Recent years have seen a welcome return to Bird species in British Isles and indeed to Norfolk, most notably all three Egret species, and the Raven.  The following account provides a brief historical review of Ravens in Norfolk along with the current status of this very impressive corvid.  

The Raven was until just a few years ago described as a rare vagrant in Norfolk.  The last breeding record occurred in 1859, however, it's numbers were greatly reduced due to persecution by farmers and gamekeepers.  Since the 1950's, Ravens numbers in Northwest Europe began to increase, this was due to reduced persecution and by the introduction of Ravens into Germany, Belgium, and Holland.  The occasional visit by a Raven to our shores were thought to have been from birds reintroduced in Europe.  

Although a reintroduced species in north-west Europe, the appearance of Ravens in Norfolk has been as a result of range expansion.  Ravens have increased significantly in a few short years with their status moving from being a rare vagrant to an increasing but still scarce species.

Here on my Breckland patch and in nearby surrounding areas, Ravens, in line with the regional picture, has seen increasingly frequent observations of this species.  The following are my records of Ravens on my patch.

Little Cressingham (Green Lane) 15 November 2019

A pair of Ravens approached from the north passed directly overhead and alighted in trees on Green Lane

Little Cressingham (The Arms and Hopton Bridge) 13 November 2020

I thought I heard a distant Raven approaching from the south, a while later a single bird flew through 'The Arms' area, low over fields towards the Watton Brook Valley.  I relocated about a mile of my position and eventually relocated the Raven in a distant Scots Pine, it then flew into the dead branches in the canopy of an Oak where it called along with uttering a few clucks.  A Carrion Crow and Mistle Thrush in the same tree offered great comparison between the species. 

Raven at Little Cressingham 13 November 2020

Raven in Oak at Little Cressingham 13 November 2020

Little Hockham 28 February 2022

A very memorable observation involving 3 Ravens which were watched from some time in clear conditions.  Behaviour seen included chasing, tumbling, rolling, and lots of calling.

Raven at Little Hockham 28 Feb 2022

Ravens 28 Feb 2022 (Two of 3 birds seen in display) 

Great Ellingham (Deopham Road) 15 March 2022

A single Raven seen in a roadside tree.  Flew off calling. 

Watton (Garden) 21 March 2022

A single Raven directly overhead in a westerly heading.

Little Cressingham 22 May 2022

Single calling bird in the Watton Brook valley

Little Cressingham 15 September 2022

Two Ravens (pair) watched flying east along the Watton Brook valley.  Calling heard.

Cranberry Rough 8 October 2022

Single bird seen and calling.

Little Cressingham 3 February 2023

Single bird seen.

Little Cressingham (The Arms) 1 May 2023

Two Ravens (pair) flying west from The Arms along the STANTA boundary and off in the direction of Bodney.

Little Hockham 7 May 2023

Pair seen.

Bodney 21 August 2023

Pair seen

Cranberry Rough 21 September 2023

One bird present

Hingham (Deopham Road) 16 January 2024

One bird calling

Garvestone 3 March 2024

Pair seen and calling.  On one occasion seen directly overhead and quite low, also pair seen in association with electricity pylons where seen to alight on to.

Little Hockham 20 April 2024

At least one Raven present and calling.

In a very short period of time, Ravens have increased rapidly in Norfolk with three-figure numbers being reported annually along with breeding successes also being seen.  It is fair to report that the future of Ravens looks very bright indeed in Norfolk, and indeed, in other counties where the species was formerly, and recently, regarded as a rare vagrant.  How wonderful it is to now hear the call of this magnificent corvid in Breckland, and beyond.