Inside the Winter Crow Roost!

Dec. 5, 2025: under mostly clear skies, wind S 5MPH, temp 28F and sunset time at 4:11PM

Late afternoon observations began along South Canal Street, where the first signs of the evening’s drama unfolded overhead. From this vantage point, massive incoming flight streams of crows poured in from the southeast, arriving in steady, purposeful lines that skimmed just above the warehouse rooftops. The rhythm of their arrival was striking, with long, continuous ribbons of birds moving with intent toward the final staging locations, their silhouettes sharpening as the light softened.

As the flow intensified, attention shifted to the utility wires lining South Canal Street. Fish Crows gathered shoulder to shoulder, filling the wires until they appeared like beads on a long string. The wires sagged under the collective weight, and the air was alive with constant vocalizations—raspy calls and chatter signaling both arrival and anticipation. This dense roadside staging area served as a vivid prelude to the larger communal gathering yet to come.

With darkness beginning to settle in, the scene moved to the center of the Duck Bridge. From there, expansive views opened up of crows settling into the main overnight communal roost, concentrated in the trees lining the south side of the Merrimack River. Looking west, the fading light of dusk painted the distant sky in muted tones, providing a stunning backdrop as thousands of birds dropped into the riverside canopy and gradually quieted.

From the Duck Bridge, the decision was made to continue downriver to a secondary and growing roost location. Viewing from across the river, the crows could be seen fully settled into riverside trees on the east side of Route 495. At this point, movement was minimal, replaced by a sense of density and stillness as the roost consolidated for the night along the river corridor.

Moving closer offered a different perspective. From the Route 495 bridge itself, the tops of the roost trees were clearly visible, revealing the layered structure of the gathering. Even in low light, the sheer number of birds became more apparent, packed tightly into the upper branches and extending farther along the river than first impressions suggested.

The evening concluded with stunning aerial views captured using a thermal drone, flown at approximately a 45-degree angle and rendered in the “Iron Red” color palette. Looking west once again, back toward the primary roost near the New Balance building, the thermal imagery traced the continuous line of roost treetops and illuminated the full size and scope of this remarkable winter gathering. The contrast between warm avian signatures and the cooling landscape offered a powerful, almost architectural understanding of the roost’s true scale.

JHUG