Tues, Feb. 28

Warm and snowing. 33F at 7am.

Apparently, it has been spring for the past week while I have been out of town. The snow has melted down to only a few feet and the roads are now clear. On my walk this morning I heard many raven calls I have not heard since last year. Spring must be here for the birds as well. There were at least 3 different pairs that were performing territorial and mating calls that I could distinguish.

Reports have come in about large congregations of ravens at the north end of the park feeding on winter kills. A dead raven was found right next to a dead cougar kitten up north. Cause is still unknown. For two days, about 10 ravens a few eagles were feeding in the bait across the river (which hadn't been touched in weeks). Only 1-2 birds were ever seen feeding on the NER bait, which is now gone.

Derek found a winter kill elk in Kelly and there were about 15 ravens on it. We saw one green band, B/A. The placement is too difficult to trap on it.

Today is an office day.