Hillside aerial views

Overcast skies, wind E 6MPH, temp 31F, sunset at 5:31PM

On Crow Patrol with first stops on Prospect Hill and Storrow Park to observe Crows staging and vocalizing in nearby tree tops. Moved down to lower Marston Street to observe Crows arriving into the overnight roost. The Crows initially anchored the roost in normal area in hillside tree tops opposite Marston Medical building. The arriving and filling in process was very orderly with minimal flight bursts and lower vocalization levels. This image at 17 minutes post sunset.

The roost was largely filled in by 40 minutes after sunset time with minor flight movements within the roost and only minor intermittent vocalizations.

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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