Archive for October, 2008

The Rook Corvus frugilegus as it Approaches the Breeding Season is Expected to Spend More Time Around the Nest and Less Time Foraging. (My final year project)

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Abstract

The study was conducted to see if the Rooks behaviour changes as the breeding season approaches. The ecology of the Rook was researched to decipher which aspects of its behaviour could be used in the field to test the hypothesis. Rooks utilise different food resources throughout the year dependent on factors such as its breeding season. Rooks are a monogamous species, where both the female and male contribute to the success of the offspring. They are social birds often found foraging and nesting together with Jackdaws. The results showed there were significant differences in behaviour as the breeding season approached. Moreover, there were observed but untested data which also support the hypothesis. Following the study further interesting behaviours were observed which can lead to further studies.

Read the whole project (PDF)

roosts in east cambridgeshire

Friday, October 24th, 2008

On my way to work from Cambridge to Soham I pass several groups of rooks on the road from Lode to Burwell and around Wicken Fen.  There are another group on the site of the school where I work.  As I understand it, these sites are rookeries, which are distinct from roosts. Is that right? If so, does anyone know of a roost in the east cambs area where I could go and watch the rooks gather in the evening?