Conditions: partly sunny, wind S at 9MPH, 54F, sunset 5:36PM

Out on Crow Patrol with first stop about 5:15PM along Incinerator Road and viewing the staging Crows mostly to the NE/SE of my vantage point. The Crows were gathering in trees along the south side of the Merrimack River and visible up to 1/2 mile away around the extended airport area and nearby sanitation plant located below. This image below shows the lineup getting into place across the river from the baseball field.

Next stop was at regular vantage point at end of North Main Street to watch the Crows streaming in over the Merrimack River and converging into the overnight roost. The incoming flight action started about 12 minutes after sunset time and continued for another 25 minutes! This image below shows an initial scouting party that made their way upriver for a preview of the roosting area, a big flight circle over the Rt. 495 Bridge and then a lazy return back downriver.  This pattern has happened many times before. 

Shortly afterwards, the stream of Crows started and continued, making their way along the north side of the river, and also crossing over the river from tree tops just to the east of the nearby pump house. Again, the leapfrog type pattern takes place as they tumble into the overnight roost! This image below was taken about 18 minutes after sunset time and it shows growing numbers in flight moving along north side.

As the Crows settle into the overnight roost, the numbers grow quite a bit and the loud vocalizing continues for a while. Tonight they seem to assemble very close to the Rt. 495 Bridge as has been the case over the past many nights. The total numbers are starting to fall off as well. This is normal for this time of year as the end of winter gets ever closer and breeding season looms on the horizon. This image below, taken about 20 minutes after sunset time, is looking NW from the south side, and towards the overnight roost. The Crows converged into the roost a bit on the early side tonight!

This last image below was taken about 30 minutes after sunset time and it shows the Crows well settled into the overnight roost. It is more of a wide angle image and provides a view of the extended roost area, the bridge, and gently flowing river below!

Photo gear used for this outing:

Canon EOS 80D; Lens: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS   

Canon 1DX MK II; Lens: Canon EF Telephoto Zoom 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ATN BinoX 4K 4-16x Day and Night Smart HD Binoculars with photo and video

Afidus ATL-200 Long-term Time Lapse Camera

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Blog post and photos by Craig Gibson, 2020 Crow Patrol, Lawrence, MA