Sensational arrival into roost!

Jan. 1, 2025 under overcast skies, wind W 7mph, temp 41F; sunset time 4:21PM

Out on Crow Patrol just before 4PM with initial stops at staging areas including ballfield at Incinerator Road. Large numbers building up in treetops off to NE in Haverhill and treetops off SE in North Andover. Moved on to Duck Bridge to observe incoming flight streams near the Riverwalk Stadium into the overnight roost area. Image below at 32 minutes post sunset time.

Smaller and then massive incoming flight streams at higher altitudes from NE got underway by 30-35 minutes after sunset time with many heading to rooftops.

It was by far one of the most glorious and extraordinary convergences into the overnight roost in recent memory with extended massive flight swirls. Image below at 34 minutes post sunset time.

As part of the final staging process, large numbers continued to land and perch on the Riverwalk rooftops. The Crows also swarmed and landed in treetops in huge numbers on the southside of Merrimack River on the east side of the Duck Bridge. Image below at 45 minutes post sunset time.

For the first time this winter season after moving around to many different roost locations, the Crows also landed and perched in trees along the west side of the Duck Bridge, but many of these moved to the main roost later. Image below at 52 minutes post sunset time.

By 60 minutes after sunset time, the Crows settled into the roost on the east side of the Duck Bridge, the loud vocalizations subsided but there were ongoing smaller flight movements within the roost. One of the most sensational nights ever!

For the 2024 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle (MAAN), the 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 serves as 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 enhanced 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 later 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 roost 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.

For our still images, 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. The R6 II 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 because 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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