Wild flight bursts!

Nov. 22, 2024: overcast skies, wind E 5MPH, temp 47F; sunset time 4:15PM

Out on Crow Patrol arriving lower Marston Street near sunset time. Small number of Crows were arriving and perching in tree tops along Marston Street, but bigger numbers in trees up along Prospect Street near the hospital. Over next 30 minutes arriving flight streams converged into tree tops along Prospect Street from hospital down to the three way Marston Street intersection. Image below at 26 minutes post sunset time.

The vocalizing grew louder all along the roosting tree line with most incoming flight streams arriving from the NNW and SE. There were many intermittent flight bursts out over Prospect Street and just beyond with Crows circling back to the roost trees. Image below at 35 minutes post sunset.

As the action continued the flight bursts became larger and spread out over Prospect Street and to the West. Again, these bursts usually keep to a large circular patterns with most Crows returning to the roosting tree tops. Image below shows a dramatic burst and was captured at 42 minutes post sunset time.

By 45 minutes post sunset time the roost area quieted way down, with some continuing minor flight movements within the roost area, and the Crows finally settled in for the night. Image below at 45 minutes post sunset time.

At 60 minutes post sunset, the roost was fully settled with minimal movements or sounds. While departing the area, observed more Crows roosting in trees on south side of the river. Image below showing roosting Crows along Prospect Street was captured with a digital infrared camera at 60 post sunset time. Another dazzling night! at the roost!

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! For the past 4 years, 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 validated at the highest levels in January 2021. This took place after a full review 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 compiler. This discussion was prompted after an outspoken female birder, who admitted little prior large roost counting experience, submitted highly unusual and very questionable numbers (24,300). She had recorded her sightings after dark, from her car, with obstructed views! After the review process, the final count for American Crows for the 2020 CBC was set at 15,200. This final count reflected the extensive written data and field reports along with detailed imaging provided by members of the Crow Patrol. This final number was in total agreement 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 count approach, while standing outside (not sitting in a car) 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 mirrorless cameras with the RF 50mm f/1.2 lens and the RF 28-70mm F2 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, while 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 the 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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