Six places to see ravens

6 places to see ravens

avens are the largest members of the crow family, as big as a buzzard. They were once found across the UK, but persecution reduced them to small populations in the north and west. Fortunately, ravens have made an incredible comeback and can be seen more widely again, though they are still rarer in the east of England and Scotland. They’re often encountered in uplands and on coastal cliff s. You can tell a raven from a crow by its heavier bill, thicker neck, and hoarse, cronking call. In fl ight, they have a distinctively diamondshaped tail. On winter evenings, ravens gather in communal roosts that can include hundreds of birds. These are often young ravens, as breeding pairs are busy holding their nesting territory. Look out for their tumbling, acrobatic display fl ights in late winter and early spring.

Did you spot any corvids?

We’d love to know how your search went. Please tweet us your best photos! @wildlifetrusts

See the spectacle for yourself

1 Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Ravens are known to set up home at this expansive coastal nature reserve near Portsmouth. A birder’s hotspot, this reserve comes to life in winter with internationally important populations of wading birds and wildfowl making use of the wetland habitats. Where: PO6 1UN

2 Arreton Down Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

This exceptionally rich chalk grassland reserve, with panoramic views over the Eastern Yar Valley on the Isle of Wight, hosts ravens throughout the year. The corvids will nest on the down, which is also home to a huge variety of plant and insect species. Where: PO30 3AA

3 Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Another vast coastal reserve – our largest nature reserve – that is a draw for ravens with its wildlife-rich saltmarshes and mudfl ats. Look out for their elaborate courtship displays in late winter as the corvids attempt to attract a mate. Where: SO41 3SE

4 Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

With a mix of pine forest, heathland, coastal cliff s and seagrass beds, this Isle of Wight reserve is home to a sparkling abundance of wildlife. Among the many birds that visit Bouldnor Forest, including crossbills and goldcrests, ravens build nests here in late winter through to early spring. Where: PO41 0XJ

5 Silent Valley, Gwent Wildlife Trust

An ancient woodland sanctuary in the South Wales Valleys. With panoramic views across the Ebbw Valley, there’s plenty of sky to scan for the distinctive silhouette of a raven. The nature reserve also boasts Britain’s highest beech wood! Where: Ebbw Vale, NP23 7RX

6 Blacka Moor, Sheffi eld & Rotherham Wildlife Trust

Ravens are a common sight on this spectacular stretch of moorland and woodland, part of the internationally important wild landscape of the Eastern Peak District Moors. As you search for ravens, keep an eye out for the more easily spotted red deer — the UK’s largest land mammal. Where: Near Sheffi eld, S11 7TY