Ravens in Regina coming from Taylor Field: naturalist

The hundreds of ravens recently spotted in downtown Regina are coming from the now torn-down rafters of Taylor Field, according to one local biologist and naturalist.

“(The rafters of Taylor Field) were a really nice spot for them to get out of the wind and get out of the cold, but then probably to huddle together significantly to spend the night in that safe spot,” Jared Clarke explained, adding the birds were also out of reach of potential predators, like great horned owls.

Last year, Clarke said a local bird watcher counted 195 ravens roosting at dusk in the old Mosaic Stadium. However, as of Boxing Day, 318 ravens were tallied across Regina.

The three to five-year-old birds spotted downtown today are travelling from up to 40 kilometres away to spend the night perching atop places like the Hotel Saskatchewan and the SaskPower building, Clarke noted.

This was Wednesday at 5:30 PM pic.twitter.com/CZMkEIUP6Q

— Maren Beaton (@maren_beaton) January 6, 2018

“When the sun comes up, (the ravens) start dispersing out and they’re leaving downtown Regina to go find food outside of the city or at the dump,” he said.

While seeing a flock of ravens circle above head might be eerie, Clarke assured 980 CJME that the birds are harmless.

“I would not be worried. If I was a pigeon living on one of the roofs downtown, I’d be a little nervous, but otherwise, humans and pets are safe.”