Audubon Magazine Winter 2024: Winter Crow Roosts!
The Audubon Magazine was released in December 2024 just before Christmas. In the "Field Guide" section, a fascinating story is shared by Alice Sun about Crows congregating in communal winter roosts. In her article, Alice Sun explores the fascinating social lives of American Crows, highlighting their intelligence and complex behaviors. She delves into their winter gatherings, where large roosts [...]
Winter Crow Roost: one roost again!
Flight action with Infrared! Dec. 22, 2024: under clear skies, wind N 13MPH with gusts, temp 16F wind chill 3F; sunset time 4:14PM Out on Crow Patrol with first looks along the both sides of the Merrimack River east of the Duck Bridge. First arrivals were seen streaming in from downriver just after sunset due to very [...]
Winter Crow Roost: back to single location!
Dec. 19, 2024: under mostly cloudy skies, wind NW 8MPH, 38F; sunset time 4;13PM Out on Crow Patrol with initial stops at staging areas downriver with streams of incoming Crows all around. Moved to the Duck Bridge as base for tonight's primary vantage point. Due to cloud cover and cooler temps, the Crows started to arrive in flight streams [...]
American Crows vs. Fish Crows: telling them apart?
Dec. 17, 2024: after a fascinating lunch discussion about American Crows and Fish Crows last Friday with birding friends, thought it might be interesting to share thoughts on how to differentiate these two similar species. Telling an American Crow from a Fish Crow can be tricky, as the two species are nearly identical in appearance. However, there are several [...]
Winter Crow Roost: two roosts continue!
Stunning aerial views! Dec. 17, 2024 under clear skies, wind W 10MPH, temp 55F; sunset time 4:12PM Out on Crow Patrol with initial stops within 1/2 mile radius of Rt. 495 Bridge with most of the staging action downriver and on the south side of Merrimack River. At 20 minutes post sunset time, set up observation post [...]
Winter Crow Roost: 2024 Christmas Bird Count!
Stunning ground & aerial views! Dec. 14, 2024: under clear skies, wind NW 5MPH, 31F; sunset time 4:11PM Out on Crow Patrol for 2024 National Audubon Christmas Bird Count as the designated official counter for the Winter Crow Roost in Lawrence thanks to Donna Cooper leading the charge for the Andover Circle. Made a number of initial [...]
Winter Crow Roost: huge flight bursts!
Dazzling flight bursts! Dec. 13, 2024 under clear skies, wind NW 8MPH, temp 27F; sunset time 4:11PM Out on Crow Patrol starting near dark with initial stops within 1/4 mile radius of hospital campus. Discovered biggest concentration of already roosting Crows behind the hospital and in trees along the Spicket River. As is normal pattern, the Crows [...]
Winter Crow Roost: San Diego!
Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 under mostly cloudy skies, light wind, 52F; sunrise 6:39AM During a family visit in San Diego had a nice opportunity to go out on Crow Patrol with many thanks to San Diego locals, Phil Unitt, Nancy Christensen, Justyn Stahl, and Mel Senac. Phil had been kind to host me for a visit at The San [...]
Winter Crow Roost: back to two locations!
Stunning aerial views! Dec. 3, 2024: under mostly clear skies, wind W 3MPH, temp 39F; sunset time 4:11PM Out on Crow Patrol with scouting stops along Marston Street, Prospect St, and Prospect Hill, with incoming and vocalizing flight streams landing and perching in tree tops on both sides of Prospect Street as part of final staging process [...]
Winter Crow Roost: roost three way split!
Flight bursts after dark! Dec. 2, 2024 under mostly cloudy, wind NW 7MPH, temp 35F; sunset time 4:11PM. Out on Crow Patrol with first stop at final staging areas along the Merrimack River and north of the hospital. A large concentration of loud and boisterous Crows were seen at the far end of Island Street, near the [...]