Feb. 15, 2023 under clear skies, wind S at 12MPH, temp 57F; sunset time 5:16PM

On Crow Patrol with a terrific walking tour group of 30+ organized by John Macone and the Merrimack River Watershed Council.

Had made a quick stop to observe staging birds on the west side of Lawrence Municipal Airport. Met up with attendees of the MRWC group in the upper parking lot at Marston Medical. We observed incoming flight streams overhead and also coming in from the SE.

The group moved out along the sidewalk on the south side of Marston Street. At 22 minutes post sunset inbound flight streams came charging in from the NE and swarmed around the tops of the overnight roost trees.

Overall the Crows arrived and settled in a very orderly pattern with minimal flight burst action.

Before departing, made a quick visit up and around the extended Geisler Memorial Swimming Pool complex area up on Prospect Hill just below the water tower, with many Crows perched in these trees and well back from the tree tops seen from Marston Street. Another spectacular show!

For the 2022 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle, this separate Crow Count was 13,750 Crows. In 2021, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 12,250. Many thanks to Donna Cooper who coordinates and compiles the Andover Circle each year!

Note on counts/estimates: we are now using improved methods for counting the large number of Crows while streaming, staging, and in the roost. For all images, we use both a modified open source counting software program, as well as a hand count approach, while outside next to the roost, to carefully document our observations and to significantly increase reliability and accuracy of the presented numbers. Please refer to our new roost counting guide on main page.

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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