Book Review: “Birds at Rest”
Book Review: Birds at Rest: The Behavior and Ecology of Avian Sleep by Roger F. Pasquier After countless winter nights spent beneath the great crow roost in Lawrence, Massachusetts, watching thousands of crows pour in at dusk, circle, settle, and then rise again in sudden bursts before quieting for the night, I have often wondered what truly happens once [...]
Winter Crow Roost: Deepthink S8 Night Vision Camera
A Powerful New Tool for Monitoring Roosting Crows After Dark This winter brings an exciting leap forward in our ability to study the dynamics of the overnight communal crow roost located in Lawrence, MA. For years, we have relied on traditional visual observation, audio monitoring, and thermal imaging to piece together what happens once the crows settle into the [...]
Winter Crow Roost: converging into the roost!
Twilight Surge! Nov. 4, 2025: under clear skies, wind NW 15MPH, gusts to 29MPH, 52F; sunset time 4:33PM, full moon! Back out on Crow Patrol with initial stops along Merrimack Street to observe incoming flight streams into multiple final staging areas nearby. Crows gathered on rooftops, utility wires, and on the ground. As the light diminished, moved [...]
Winter Crow Roost: staging along Merrimack Street
Oct. 19, 2025: under mostly sunny, wind SE 5MPH, 66F; sunset time 5:55PM Out on Crow Patrol with initial scouting stops at staging areas all along Merrimack Street and nearby side streets to observe incoming Crow flight streams. As usual, the arriving Crows to this final staging area, were seen on rooftops and edges, on the ground, and perched [...]
“The Crows of Lawrence” at Memorial Hall Library, Andover, MA
On Thursday, October 16, Craig had the great pleasure of giving his presentation, "The Crows of Lawrence," at Memorial Hall Library in Andover. The event was co-sponsored by the Village Garden Club of Andover and the Library, a terrific partnership that brought together an enthusiastic and curious audience. We had more than 40 people join us for the talk, [...]
Winter Crow Roost: Siberian Crabapples!
Oct. 15, 2025: under clear skies, wind N 10MPH gusts to 20, 52F; sunset time 6:01PM Out on Crow Patrol with multiple stops at nearby staging areas all along Merrimack Street and then on the north side of the Merrimack River. Based on observed incoming flight patterns, moved over to the general Mill240 Park area. Arriving Crows were seen [...]
Winter Crow Roost: counting the Crows!
Terrific aerial views! Oct. 14, 2025: under overcast, wind NE 6MPH, 57F; sunset time 6:03PM Upon arrival, scouted out nearby staging areas all along Merrimack Street, then made observations from South Canal Street with Crows vocalizing loudly and seen on the ground, rooftop edges, and utility wires before converging into overnight roost. It was fascinating to watch [...]
Upcoming Talk: “The Crows of Lawrence”
Curious about the incredible crow gatherings over Lawrence each winter? Join us on Thursday, October 16 at Memorial Hall Library for The Crows of Lawrence, a fascinating talk with conservation photographer Craig Gibson. Discover the story behind New England’s largest Winter Crow Roost and why it’s a must-see natural spectacle! Here are the details from the Memorial Hall Library [...]
Winter Crow Roost: The Crows are back in town!
Sept. 29, 2025: mostly cloudy skies, a light north wind at 6 MPH, and a mild 60°F set the stage for this evening’s patrol. Sunset came at 6:28PM, and with it, the crows began to converge in larger numbers. Along South Canal Street, small groups appeared first on rooftops, utility wires, and even the ground, early signs that numbers [...]
Winter Crow roost: numbers shrinking!
Stunning Aerial Views! March 19, 2025: under partly cloudy skies, wind E 8MPH, temp 43F; sunset time 6:56PM Out on Crow Patrol with initial stops along Merrimack Street and South Canal Street with smaller groups arriving mostly from the west. Initial buildup of staging Crows on the extended rooftop of former Lawrence Pumps building around sunset time. [...]