Dazzling Flight Burst!

Nov. 21, 2022 under mostly clear skies, wind S at 12MPH, 36F; sunset at 4:16PM

Out on Crow Patrol with initial scouting stops north of the hospital, then back to the Prospect Street area as the Crows seemed to be setting up the overnight roost in the trees along the lower end of Prospect Street at the base of Prospect Hill. Large incoming flight streams from 15 to 30 minutes after sunset time from all directions. Numerous flight bursts from the roost with resettling minutes later. This image below at 18 minutes after sunset time.

Large numbers of Crows slowly assembled and remained in the trees along the Spicket River between Canal St. and General St. Another amazing night! This image below at 60 minutes after sunset time.

For the 2021 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Andover Circle, this separate Crow Count was 12,250 Crows. In 2020, the CBC Andover Circle Crow Count was 15,200. 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 to carefully document our observations and to significantly increase reliability and accuracy of the presented numbers. 

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

Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless with Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

Sony AX700 4K HDR Camcorder

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Blog post and photos by Craig Gibson, 2022 Crow Patrol