Dynamic time lapse footage at dusk!

Dec. 8, 2022 under clear skies, wind N at 14MPH with gusts 23MPH, temp 44F; sunset time 4:10PM

On Crow Patrol with first stop along Marston Street near main intersection with first Crows arriving and settling into roost treetops. The first big flight streams started to arrive about 7 minutes after sunset time and mostly from the S and E with many coming in over the Marston Medical building. This image at 7 minutes post sunset time.

Secondary flight streams roared in from the east and peppered the trees along Marston to the east of viewing location. The flight streams are becoming much larger from the east with smaller numbers coming in from the west. This image at 19 minutes post sunset time.

Overall the roost filled in like most nights but with with minor flight burst action. The trees became quite dense with Crows interspersed in very tight groupings. This image at 26 minutes post sunset time.

Made a later stop to view roost area around New Balance and the numbers were lower than prior recent nights. They are clearly transitioning over to the main roost. This image from park at Mill240 complex captured at 45 minutes post sunset time. Another dazzling night!

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