Late this afternoon I noticed large groups of crows moving overhead in
Snohomish . I followed them out of town just over the Pilchuck River
where they were congregating in a hybrid poplar (?) plantation . I
parked
(where I did not block any gates) crossed an open field (unfenced and
not posted) walked the railroad tracks and paced off about 1000 feet of
trees where the birds were congregating, apprarently preparing to
roost. there were not as many birds at the outer edges so lets say 800
feet. I could not see how far the birds went back into the trees away
from me but as I walked beneath them through the plantation I never saw
to the end of them and turned around and headed back to the tracks as it
got dark. so lets say they were as far back into the plantation as
they were spread out along the railroad tracks. 800 by 800 feet. the
trees appeared to be planted about 8 feet on center so thats about 100
by 100 trees or 10,000 trees, with between 2 and 3 birds per tree, so
lets say 25,000 crows. I have no idea how accurate this estimate may
be. maybe someone else would like to give it a try. It was pretty
loud. they were definately aware of me as I walked under them but
they seemed oblivious to a passing train. too dark by then to look for
leg bands.

Stan Kostka
Arlington Wa
lynnandstan at earthlink.net