Stunning aerial views!

March 13, 2023 under heavy overcast with light rain wind E 5MPH, temp 39F, sunset time 6:48PM

On Crow Patrol with a series stops up and down Prospect Street from the intersection up to the charter school parking lot with Crows staging in tree tops from end to end. Numerous flight bursts in trees by the charter school just after sunset time. Sunset now much later due to Daylight Savings Time!

The Crows moved in stealth flight waves along the Prospect Street tree tops towards the overnight roost trees by the main intersection. This image at 22 minutes post sunset time.

As the Crows built up further around the regular overnight roost area, they erupted in multiple flight bursts. This image a few minutes later. Great action!

For the 2022 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle, this separate Crow Count was 13,750 Crows. In 2021, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 12,250. 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 in the roost. For all images, we use both a modified open source counting software program, as well as a hand count approach, while outside next to the roost, to carefully document our observations and to significantly increase reliability and accuracy of the presented numbers. Please refer to our new roost counting guide on main page.

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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