Dec. 26, 2022 under clear skies, wind Sw 6MPH, temp 28F; sunset time 4:16

On Crow Patrol just before sunset with initial incoming flight streams arriving from upriver and small numbers starting to perch in trees along lower Marston Street. Other clusters were seen along Prospect Street by the hospital and around One Canal Street. Most of the Crows began to converge in the area on the east side of One Canal Street. At 25 minutes after sunset time, an endless stream from the Marston Medical roof, were seen making a beeline for One Canal Street area. This image at 29 minutes post sunset.

Minutes later, a sky swarm erupted closer to the hospital and the lower guest parking lots with very loud vocalizations. This image at 44 minutes post sunset time.

While touring the hospital parking lots, the Crows adorned the trees along the Spicket River by One Canal Street in dense concentrations. This image at 52 minutes post sunset.

Was able to walk over to the west side of the helipad area, by the One Canal Street back parking lot, with a view looking to the east towards the SW corner of Prospect Hill. This image at 55 minutes post sunset time. Another amazing night out!

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 Mirrorless with Canon RF 50 f/1.2 L USM 

Sony AX700 4K HDR Camcorder

Follow us on Instagram: wintercrowroost

Follow us on YouTube: wintercrowroost

Blog post and photos by Craig Gibson, 2023 Crow Patrol