Super Slow Motion!

Nov. 11, 2024: under mostly sunny, wind W 8MPH, 61F; sunset time 4:23PM

With mostly clear skies and warm temps, the Crows arrived to the roost area on the early side. While driving northbound over Rt. 495 bridge, noticed staging Crows in trees along north side of the Merrimack River and along the exposed river bed. Made observations from the end of North Main Street and then returned to the roost area. At 25 minutes after sunset, a swarm of Crows were swirling and vocalizing just above the roost area tree tops creating quite a show. This image below at 25 minutes after sunset time.

As always, the Crows launched into numerous flight bursts over the main intersection. Each of these burst moments are hard to predict but thrilling to watch! This image below at 37 minutes post sunset time.

The numbers in the roost keep growing daily and fill many more of the tree top areas. The Crows now fill the tree tops from near the north/south High Street extension around to the lower part of Prospect Street. This image at 43 minutes post sunset shows the Crows as they settle into the upper canopy of the hillside trees for the overnight communal roost.

The bursts continued intermittently until the Crows settled in for the night! This image below at 44 minutes post sunset shows a burst out over the intersection!

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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