Ravensdale chick back for the first time in 20 years

Two raven chicks hatched from a nest on crags inRavensdale this week amid great excitement from volunteers on the reserve.

Although named for the bird, the dale – which is part of Natural England’s Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve and located near to Monsal Head – has not seen a successful breeding attempt in over 20 years.

The crag was closed to climbers throughout May to ensure that the nest was not disturbed as, especially in the cold spring, even a short absence by an adult bird could have been fatal for the chicks.

Kevin Bull, senior reserve manager at the site, said: “This is fantastic news for the reserve and we’d like to thank the climbing community and all our visitors for their cooperation and patience while Ravensdale’s wild residents reared their young.

“Ravens are magnificent birds and it’s great that after an absence of two decades, the birds that have given Ravensdale Crags its name are once again gracing this special place with their aerial displays and deep, rich calls.”