Stunning aerial views!

Dec. 17, 2024 under clear skies, wind W 10MPH, temp 55F; sunset time 4:12PM

Out on Crow Patrol with initial stops within 1/2 mile radius of Rt. 495 Bridge with most of the staging action downriver and on the south side of Merrimack River. At 20 minutes post sunset time, set up observation post on south side of river and watched incoming flight streams. Image below at 28 minutes post sunset time.

As flight streams rolled in from downriver, some dropped down into roost trees below, but many continued at higher altitudes, with loud vocalizing, and well above the Rt. 495 Bridge. They were headed farther to the west but it was not clear where they might settle. Image below at 38 minutes post sunset time.

As darkness set in and the roost area by the bridge filled in and became more settled, the Crows made a number of spectacular and boisterous flight bursts over the river. Although this is a very normal event, it is astounding each and every time, particularly with such chaotic flight movements. Image below at 46 minutes post sunset time.

Moved over to the south side of the Duck Bridge for looks at secondary split roost location. This location has rarely been used in the past number of years and is located about 3/4 of a mile from the far side of the Rt. 495 Bridge. Again, observed hundreds of Crows roosting in trees, perched on utility wires, and loitering on the ground in the New Balance parking lot. As they settl ein for the night and quiet down, there is still lots of smaller flight movements within the overall roost. It may be family members finding each other and the settling in. Image below at 71 minutes post sunset time shows the Crows on the ground closer to the rear of the New Balance lot.

Final views were looking eastward and downriver from the Duck Bridge at large tight clusters of roosting Crows in the trees along the south side of the Merrimack River. The roosting Crows in these trees stretched eastward for almost 300 yards. Just amazing action tonight in both locations!

For the 2024 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle (MAAN), this separate Crow Count was 12,550 total Crows, including American Crows and Fish Crows. In 2023, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 11,600. 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 counts, we utilize multiple direct block counts of the Crows in flight and while the Crows are perched in trees, always while standing and walking around outside (not sitting in a car after dark) around the roost. For all images, we use a modified open source counting software program, to carefully document and cross check our count numbers. This comprehensive approach significantly increases the reliability and accuracy of our carefully documented results. 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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