4 November 2024
Pittsburgh’s winter crow flock is building as more birds from the north join the thousands already here. By the end of December at the Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count, there will be as many as 20,000 crows on the move at sunset.
This month while the flock is growing, the roosts that were adequate in October are too small, so they move the entire roost or split into several locations. The moving or splitting happens every week, if not more often.
On Halloween they chose a favorite spot in the Hill District overlooking the Allegheny River, but those coming from the southeast had to change course to get to it. Thousands flew over my apartment building just after sunset on 1 November. On 2 November they found a shortcut and took a different route.
Tonight sunset is during rush hour at 5:12pm and for the first time this fall many people will be outdoors while the crows are on the move. Those who hadn’t noticed the flock before will think the crows suddenly showed up. Nope. Crows have been traveling at sunset all their lives. It’s the people who suddenly showed up.
p.s. Thank you to Sue Faust & Betty Rowland for alerting me to the crows’ whereabouts. It’s always a challenge to find the roost, especially in late December.
Many years ago I watched the crow flight at dusk when standing on the hilltop at Pitt during a Pittsburgh Christmas Count. I don’t recall the birders I was with — maybe you were one, Kate? Anyway, it was the first and only time I was able to be thrilled by the phenomenon.
I bet you were counting crows with Sue Solomon and Claire Staples.