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 over to the Duck Bridge for views up and down the Merrimack River and Crows observed in riverside trees along the south side of the river to the west and east with continued movement within the roost areas. This image at 45 minutes after sunset.

As often times happen, there were numerous intermittent flight bursts with many of the Crows launching in unison from the roost trees out over the Merrimack River. These bursts after sunset occur while the roost is still settling and social hierarchies are being sorted out in rapidly fading light. Any sudden movement, late-arriving flock, or ambiguous visual cue can trigger a chain reaction lift-off, with hundreds of crows circling out and quickly returning once the momentary uncertainty passes. It’s essentially a large-scale, twilight reshuffling that dissipates once full darkness brings stability and calm to the roost. This burst image at 50 minutes after sunset.

Last year, we noticed the Crows also landing and settling into the riverside trees along the east side of the Duck Bridge. These trees are adjacent to the parking lot for the new Balance Factory store and enjoy significant ambient lighting from the bright lights used for the parking lot. Crows have been seen in these trees for over 200 yards running east of the Duck Bridge. The density is lower in these trees but still very solid roosting numbers. This image at 56 minutes after sunset.

The aerial images continue to provide excellent perspectives on the size and scope of the overall roost. These images are adding a remarkable new dimension to our study of this overnight communal roost, revealing how thousands of crows distribute themselves vertically and horizontally throughout the canopy. The aerial perspectives allow us to better understand density patterns, perch spacing, and how birds occupy every elevation layer of the roosting trees. This image at 25 after sunset.

Nights like this remind us how powerful it can be to pause, breathe, and simply take in the natural beauty unfolding around in the general roost area. Under tonight’s dazzling full moon, we captured a rare silhouette of a lone crow perched on a wire, framed perfectly by the bright white glow. It is a quiet, unforgettable image that felt almost timeless. This image was captured 30 after sunset.

For the 2024 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle (MAAN), the separate Crow Count was a total 12,550 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 serves as the designated sector leader for the crow 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 Wayne Petersen, the New England Regional Editor for the CBC, full support from Geoff  LeBaron, 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 substantial input from Geoff LeBaron, the National CBC Director, we are now using enhanced 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 later 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 roost 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.

For our still images, 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. The R6 II 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 because the f/1.2  and f2 aperture settings ensure exceptional performance in low light, 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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