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 from upriver with many circling above the parking lots behind the Riverwalk complex, and then landing on the Riverwalk roof top. Image below at 16 minutes post sunset time.

It was a much more orderly arrival process with lots of loud vocalizations but minimal flight burst action overall. This smaller flight burst was early on and one of only a few for the whole time. Image at 23 minutes post sunset time.

The incoming waves were one after another over a 25 minute stretch with huge numbers coming in from upriver. The Crows kept rolling in and it was quite a sight to watch. Image at 30 minutes post sunset time.

The trees along the east side of the Duck Bridge filled up with roosting Crows with lots of smaller flight movements within the roost. Tonight, the numbers were much larger in this location, looking like the Crows may finally consolidating back into a single roost location. This image below captured at 90 minutes post sunset time.

Just before departure, hundreds of Crows were seen mulling around again on the asphalt at the rear of the New Balance parking lot. In some locations, this is a common event with Crows perched in trees, on utility wires, and on rooftops or on the ground. Another spectacular Crow show!

For the 2024 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle (MAAN), this separate Crow Count was 12,550 total Crows, including American Crows and Fish Crows. In 2023, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 11,600. Many thanks to Donna Cooper who coordinates and compiles the CBC Andover Circle each year! Craig is the designated sector leader for the roost count.

The counts and methods meticulously developed by the Crow Patrol for the Lawrence roost were reviewed and approved in January 2021. This took place after a full review of all field notes and images, followed by group discussion with the New England Regional Editor for the CBC, full support from the National Director of the CBC, and Donna Cooper as the local CBC Count Circle compiler. After this comprehensive review process, the final count for American Crows for the 2020 CBC was set at 15,200. This final count reflected the detailed field reports and imaging provided by members of the Crow Patrol. This count number was also in total alignment with a long list of experienced local birders who have made prior counting visits to this winter roost in Lawrence, MA!

As a result of meaningful input from the National CBC Director, we are now using improved methods for counting the large number of Crows while streaming, staging, and settling into the roost. For all counts, we utilize multiple direct block counts of the Crows in flight and while the Crows are perched in trees, always while standing and walking around outside (not sitting in a car after dark) around the roost. For all images, we use a modified open source counting software program, to carefully document and cross check our count numbers. This comprehensive approach significantly increases the reliability and accuracy of our carefully documented results. Please refer to our newly published Winter Crow Roost counting guide PDF on the main page.

The Canon R6 mirrorless cameras excels in low-light photography due to its 24 MP sensor with fewer and larger pixels, allowing for better light collection and signal-to-noise ratio. It offers high dynamic range for detail retention, low digital noise even at high ISOs (up to 102,400), effective image stabilization for sharper images, and advanced image processing to minimize noise in dark areas.

The Canon mirrorless cameras with the RF 50mm f/1.2 lens and the RF 28-70mm F2 lens 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, 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 any 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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