I could hardly believe my eyes today as I wandered, with my family from the car towards a paddock containing chickens and a solitary Ostrich!  On a fence post was a big black bird who didn't at first seem all that bothered that we were getting nearer, odd behaviour for a Carrion Crow, I thought?  Then as I had processed that thought it immediately dawned on me that it was a Raven! It assessed the situation and then flew off to a nearby tree for safety.  It seemed certain to me that the only reason a Raven would fly down to a flock of chickens was to steal their eggs.  Feet from a Raven…… and guess what?  No camera with me.  I asked the family, would it be eccentric if I went back home for the camera?  Yes of course but whats new they all replied so with that I jumped in to the car and went home for it.  On my return I couldnt see any sign of the Raven but after a wait of 20 minutes or so, suddenly there was the Raven back on the same post. Later on in the afternoon I went back and sat in the car which I parked next to the enclosure and waited.  I waited for 2 hours for the chance of "that shot" and it almost happened.  A Raven came down at least 3 times, it seemed as though it was just being opportunistic but then eventually I realised what it was after as it emerged from the hen house carrying an egg in it's beak.

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