Flight bursts!

Nov. 24, 2024: partly sunny skies, wind NW 8MPH, 45F; sunset time 4:15PM

Ou on Crow Patrol with first stop at the baseball field atop Incinerator Road with small numbers of Crows in staging mode; much larger numbers mulling around the field on the north side of the Essex County Pre-release and Re-entry Center located at 165 Marston Street. Image below at 6 minutes post sunset time.

Moved over to lower Marston Street and watched incoming Crows pause in large flight swirls above the normal roost tree tops and then move NW, most towards the hospital, others off to SW towards the river. It was almost like a detour sign was in place or perhaps, a Red-tailed Hawk! Image belwo at 27 minutes post sunset time.

Moved to hospital parking lot to watch endless flight streams arriving from the Prospect Street area tree tops, and converging into tree tops and roof tops behind the hospital  parking lot with boisterous vocalizations. Image below at 32 minutes post sunset time.

Observed a number of intermittent flight bursts, at the south end of the parking lots, always fun to watch. At this location, the Crows are perched in dense trees that overhang the Spicket River. Image below at 48 minutes post sunset time.

Final stop was walking out on the east side of the Duck Bridge to observe Crows settled into the secondary split roost location in the line of trees along the south side of the Merrimack River. The lighting is a challenge in this location, but the photo below provides a snapshot of the roosting Crows. Image at 62 minutes post sunset time. Another amazing Crow show!

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 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 data and field reports along with detailed imaging provided by members of the Crow Patrol. This final number was 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 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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