Crows Flying in Slow Motion

Tues. Nov. 5, 2024: Clear skies, wind SW 7MPH, 72F; sunset time 4:31PM

Arrived in area around New Balance building scouting out final staging areas; observed incoming flight streams from the west continuing eastward and downriver towards Prospect Hill. Moved to lower Marston Street at SW corner of Prospect Hill to observe the incoming flight streams. The initial arrivals came in from downriver and flew over Marston Street from behind the Marston Medical building. The dusk sky colors were spectacular. This image looking east down Marston Street was captured at 14 minutes after sunset.

Additional flight streams were seen arriving from the SW and turning towards the roost area after passing the Ayer Mill Clock Tower. Again the sky colors were a magnificent sight to behold. This image below was captured at 21 minutes after sunset time.

Both AMCR/FICR starting to perch in the roost area tree tops while vocalizing loudly. Along the tree tops above Marston Street, a small group of Crows land and perch on the higher tree top branches. The others slowly start to fill in and the numbers grow. This image below was captured at 28 minutes after sunset time.

The larger groupings arrived between 20 and 35 minutes post sunset time, a bit later due to warm weather and light winds. As the roost builds in size for the night, we often see all kinds of short hop flight action in between the trees, as groupings of Crows arrive and cruise over the tree tops until deciding where to make first landing.

On many nights as the Crows settle into the roost, we observe intermittent flight bursts around the roost area. These are fascinating to watch and usually last a few moments. Overall, it was a terrific night out as we continue to welcome the Crows back to the winter crow roost in Lawrence, MA! This image below was captured 48 minutes after sunset time.

For the 2023 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle, this separate Crow Count was 11,600 total Crows, including American Crows and Fish Crows. In 2022, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 13,750. Many thanks to Donna Cooper who coordinates and compiles the Andover Circle each year!

Note on counts/estimates: we are now using improved methods for counting the large number of Crows while streaming, staging, and settling into the roost. For all images, we use both a modified open source counting software program, as well as a hand count approach, while standing outside at the roost, to carefully document our observations and to significantly increase reliability and accuracy of the carefully documented numbers. Please refer to our newly published roost counting guide on the main page.

The Canon mirrorless cameras with the RF 50mm f/1.2 lens and the RF 28-70mm F2 excel in low-light conditions, blending versatile focal lengths with an ultra-wide aperture. Both focal lengths work extremely well in very low light conditions, while the f/1.2  and F2 aperture settings ensure exceptional performance in low light conditions, offering stunning clear, and aesthetically pleasing images, making them ideal for the challenging very low light conditions around the overnight winter crow roost.

Remember to check out the latest Crow Patrol Podcast with John Macone (Merrimack River Watershed Council): wintercrowroost.com/podcast/

Photo gear used for most outings:

Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 

Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Infrared)     

Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless with Canon RF 28-70 f/2 L IS USM 

Canon EOS R6 II Mirrorless with Canon RF 50 f/1.2 L USM 

Sony AX700 4K HDR Camcorder

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