Jan. 29, 2022 under overcast skies, wind SW 9MPH, temp 50F; sunset time 4:53PM

A short visit after time away to survey the extended roost area; numbers at main roost location much lower than last visit with roost Crows well settled into trees all along Marston Street and also seen on trees up by Geisler Pool Complex. Image at 3.5 hours after sunset time.

The Crows were very concentrated at the east end of the tree line along Marston Street. With late time of visit, almost no vocalizations from roost area. Image a few minutes later.

After checking nearby alternate locations for additional Crows, discovered roost Crows in trees on east side of Marston Medical complex and in perched in trees on hillside behind R&R Auto Repair building. Image at almost 4 hours post sunset time.

Final stop for the night was on the south side of the Merrimack River by the 280 Merrimack Street building with views of Prospect Hill and the hillside behind Marston Medical and R&R Auto Repair. Although well after dark and at a distance of over 250 yards, was able to capture an image that shows roosting Crows in the  hillside trees sloping down to the river. Image just after 4 hours after sunset time.

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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Blog post and photos by Craig Gibson, 2023 Crow Patrol