Winter Crow Roost: Talkin’ Birds with Ray Brown!

At the kind invitation of Ray Brown from the renowned Talkin’ Birds radio show/podcast, the winter crow roost in Lawrence, MA was featured on the show in early May. As a bit of background, Ray Brown joined us Along the banks of the Merrimack River for yet another oversubscribed winter crow roost outing on Monday, January 21, 2020, along with Terry Date from the Eagle Tribune. In addition, it was a delight to also welcome Prof. Christian Rutz, biology professor, renowned crow researcher, and Rhodes Scholar currently on the faculty at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland!  After the Crows were settled into the roost, we were able to visit the Essex Art Center, and view the second annual Winter Crow Roost exhibit, and hear a short talk by Prof. Rutz about his research on New Caledonian Crows.

For those with an interest, here is a transcript of the interview from Ray’s show (#778) on Sunday, May 3, 2020:

Ray:

Well, among his many other talents, Craig is a talented bird and conservation photographer. His focus these days is on the winter crow roost in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and through the Eastern part of the state. He’s been also the leader in developing activities and events with local arts, education, and community groups, and working with conservation and environmental organizations, and for new citizen science initiatives. Over the past three winter seasons, Craig and partners have documented more than 250 observation nights while monitoring, documenting, and photographing the overnight staging and roosting of thousands upon thousands of American crows, and some Fish Crows as well. He joins us now to tell us more about it. Good morning, Craig.

Craig:

Good morning, Ray. Thanks for the opportunity to join you.

Ray:

It’s our pleasure, indeed. Craig, it’s too bad that here in late spring the crow roosts aren’t active, because when I joined a group you led to see the birds it was pretty chilly.

Craig:

It was a cold, cold end of January day. We had a wonderful group and, as you might recall, Ray, there was just great energy. There was great passion, and fascination, to be out at the edge of the river, watching the crows come into the roost for that night.

Ray:

That certainly is true, and you could just tell it. Well by your enthusiasm that was very contagious, if I may use that word in these days, among the folks that were there. So, Craig, tell us about this crow roost phenomenon. What makes it so fascinating to so many people?

Craig:

Ray, without fail, first time observers, when they arrive they have great anticipation. They’re not exactly sure what to expect, and without exception, the sense of awe, beauty, majesty … How many times in nature are we truly just, where we have a jaw-dropping experience. I think for so many who come out who are interested and fascinated, they may have done a little homework, seen some pictures before, this coming together of so many large numbers of birds converging into a single spot for an overnight gathering, it literally takes your breath away. Every night I’m out there it’s the same thing. I know what’s going to happen, I know about how it’s going to happen, but the way it happens every time is just, it’s an eye-popping experience, and a reminder of the mystery of nature.

Ray:

Well, when I tagged along on one of your patrols this past winter we saw what, I think 15,000 crows was the estimate, coming to roost by the Merrimack River, and also very close to an interstate highway overpass. Craig, has any reason been uncovered as to how they pick their roosting spots? I know they change, and maybe why they would choose an area so close to a major highway?

Craig:

It’s hard to say, Ray, and that’s part of what continues to drive so many of us to try to research this further. We did have this winter, when you were out with us, about 15,000 birds at that point in time, Bob Fox has been our reliable, and deeply experienced, counter of large groupings of birds, and so Bob has been a provider of those estimates as they rise during the course of the winter season. What we do know is that the crows typically, and I’ve been to visit many other roost locations, is they continue … More recently they’re drawn to these urban locations. It may be because it’s a heat island effect. It may be because of protection from predators. It may be because of ambient lighting. They tend to be in these locations that are in and around cities. A few years ago they were closer to the New Balance Building, about a mile away.

Craig:

This winter the pattern was very different, but the ambient lighting. There is snow in this location this year next to Route 93 North, and the river. There was no pedestrian traffic nearby. They habituate to the car traffic, but they do have that ambient lighting, and it may serve as an information center every night, or a dating bar, or something along those lines, all part of the mystery.

Ray:

Well, as I said, fascinating and spectacular to see, but not everyone likes crows, right? What’s the range of reaction you get when you tell people that you’re going to go out on the banks of a river when it’s almost getting dark and thousands of crows will be flying around?

Craig:

Well, it’s a wonderful opportunity, Ray, to seize on the dynamic of that perception. Many of the viewers that come and join us, and we’ve had group, after group, after group. This winter when we put notice out we were typically oversubscribed for each of the gatherings, as was the case when you were there with Prof. Christian Rutz. For many there’s been a distant affiliation with crows in the past, not a close contact. When there’s an opportunity to see them up close we can see the beauty of their plumage, and especially when they’re seen in great light, but the mystery of this amazing phenomenon leaves everyone permanently changed about how they look at crows.

Craig:

In some cities, as you say, can be scavengers. They can poop all over the place. They can be a nuisance, and there are those who try to rid them from inner city locations. In Lawrence, it has been a problem, and we see many of those who join us come away with a deep sense of awe about the beauty of these birds. Remember, the crows first and foremost are known for being very smart, very social, and family centered, and there’s an opportunity to appreciate that.

Ray:

We’re really short on time, Craig, but I know you’re doing some great things with educational programs, and arts exhibits, as well, that, as you said, brings a broader audience to appreciate these birds. Give us a real quick overview of some of that if you would.

Craig:

Quickly, we worked with Cathy McLaurin, who is the Executive Director at the Essex Art Center. We have done a three gallery show on the winter crow roost the last two years. The number of attendees that have come in to see the photography, and the artwork, has broken all kind of the attendance records. We’ve worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. They’ve done a wonderful job. The staff over there worked with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to do art and writing programs. We’re working with Groundwork Lawrence. We had 10 high schoolers out this winter from January up until April. They just did a recap a couple of weeks ago. The high schoolers from Lawrence, through Groundwork Lawrence, did an online curriculum with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. So, we’re trying to expand where we can have artwork about crows on display, and then working with a larger number of school groups to help them understand the beauty and mystery behind the winter crow roost phenomenon.

Ray:

Again, as you indicated a minute ago, there are crow roosts in many other parts of the country these days, and while we’re mostly staying home these days this is a great time to visit the crow roost website and see some amazing photos, and videos, of this spectacular crow roosting phenomenon. This is a blog it’s called www.wintercrowroost.com. Craig, thank you so much, and I look forward to joining you on another venture next fall

Craig:

Sounds great. God, bless you. Be safe and thanks again, Ray.

Ray:

I’m going to pick a warmer day next time.

Craig:

Stay well.

Ray:

All right. Thank you, Craig. An American crow giving us a little coda to our chat with our friend, Craig. Coming up next here it’s our mystery bird contest in just one minute.

About: Talkin’ Birds!