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 were still vocalizing and moving in flight around the roost trees while settling in for the overnight roost, like restless children. Crows were seen mostly in the rounded top part of the crown in most of the trees. This image at 53 minutes post sunset time.

It was fascinating to move around and observe the how the Crows fill in the trees with one vantage point showing a nice silhouette of Crows with extra background light and an almost full moon in the distant background. Image at 59 minutes post sunset time.

A bit later the Crows were well settled for the night in the tress along the Spicket River, and the raucous vocalizations had largely subsided. Observing how the Crows often pack themselves together is always a great sight to see. Image at 75 minutes post sunset time.

Suddenly, a massive and unexpected flight burst erupted with the vast majority of Crows lifting up into flight with huge wing flapping noise, at a burst level and sound level rarely experienced before, and then they all slowly returned to the roost. It may well have been due to a Great Horned Owl threat! Image a few minutes after prior image.

Final stop was along the Merrimack River and at the secondary roost location where the numbers may be falling off just a bit as many of the Crows might be shifting to the main roost. Image below at 1hr 45 minutes after sunset time. Another amazing show tonight!

For the 2023 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle (MAAN), 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 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 images, we use both a modified open source counting software program, as well as a direct block count approach, while standing outside (not sitting in a car after dark) around the roost, to carefully document our observations and to significantly increase reliability and accuracy of our well documented numbers. 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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