I employed a friend to come and shoot some of the ravens, finally. I was so worried they will kill a lamb, or baby goat as they were being born, as they did once before with the potbelly piglets. There were only a few when I came here 5 years ago, but I counted 21 in the sheep pen a few weeks ago. They are very bold and fly 10 feet over my head with no fear. Last year they cleaned up 60 newly hatching ducklings in one day. They have eaten a Mamma hen's chicks this year too.
So, almost in desperation, I needed to somehow ensure they were not continuing to dine at the Fat Ewe Farm. The man is a goose hunter, a very good shot and hunts large game too. He managed to kill 4 ravens, 3 smaller ones and one quite large, at least over 2 feet long with a very huge wingspan.
Now, don't get me wrong. These are magnificent birds, the most acrobatic flyers you will ever see and very social. They protect each other and are in constant communication. I am sure they told the rest of the raven that the area was unsafe today and they should stay away. Finally, there was some peace on the farm, and it came just in time, because a set of twin baby goats were born this evening. The only other predators I worry about are the owls and the foxes. The dogs will not let anything else come near, thank goodness.
It was disheartening and somewhat sad to see the slain magnificent birds. Their waxy black beaks now closed forever and their wings silenced the final silence we all will find one day, their carcasses were hung around the sheep pen as a warning to the rest of the ravens. A group of ravens is called an 'unkindness' according to many long years ago. Today we hardly know that term as applied to ravens, but being the subject of their unwanted attentions for some years now, I can see how the name for the collective came by.
Still, I honour the ravens, their spirits, and thank them for their lives. I feel there was little choice in this matter, but to protect the life on the farm with the loss of lives of a few of the unkindness of ravens here. If this does not work, the hunter will return. So long, dear ravens.
So, almost in desperation, I needed to somehow ensure they were not continuing to dine at the Fat Ewe Farm. The man is a goose hunter, a very good shot and hunts large game too. He managed to kill 4 ravens, 3 smaller ones and one quite large, at least over 2 feet long with a very huge wingspan.
Now, don't get me wrong. These are magnificent birds, the most acrobatic flyers you will ever see and very social. They protect each other and are in constant communication. I am sure they told the rest of the raven that the area was unsafe today and they should stay away. Finally, there was some peace on the farm, and it came just in time, because a set of twin baby goats were born this evening. The only other predators I worry about are the owls and the foxes. The dogs will not let anything else come near, thank goodness.
It was disheartening and somewhat sad to see the slain magnificent birds. Their waxy black beaks now closed forever and their wings silenced the final silence we all will find one day, their carcasses were hung around the sheep pen as a warning to the rest of the ravens. A group of ravens is called an 'unkindness' according to many long years ago. Today we hardly know that term as applied to ravens, but being the subject of their unwanted attentions for some years now, I can see how the name for the collective came by.
Still, I honour the ravens, their spirits, and thank them for their lives. I feel there was little choice in this matter, but to protect the life on the farm with the loss of lives of a few of the unkindness of ravens here. If this does not work, the hunter will return. So long, dear ravens.
Four lives were lost today and immediately two new lives were presented. That is how nature goes.
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