[NatureNS] The Crow Roost at Mt. Saint Vincent University

Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:33:10 -0400
From: Bob McDonald <bobathome@hfx.eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Hi Lance and others interested,

I suppose that I know as much as anyone does about the Mount roost.  I first 
noticed the large number of crows in early evening during the winter of 
1987-88 or so.  I did not keep any records of numbers of birds using it in 
these early days but "counting the crows at the Mount roost" is the last 
thing we now do on the Bedford-Sackville CBC, so I do have recent numbers. 
Our most recent "guesstimate" was 6300 birds (28 December 2007).  Last 
year's estimate was 8500 and the year before that was, I believe, 5800.  It 
is likely, given the difficulty of estimating numbers under these 
conditions, that these numbers may be the same within "experimental error". 
These numbers however are considerably higher than those estimated in the 
late 1990's and early 2000"s.
I will dig out the data which I have both to satisfy my own curiosity and 
yours.

Regarding how far these birds might disperse during the day, I have only 
anecdotal information.  They certainly come across the Basin and from 
Bedford.  They also have been seen flying in the direction of the city from 
the airport.  However, there may be other roosts around the city of which I 
am unaware.  For example, one late afternoon/early evening I noticed numbers 
of crows flying WEST across Parkland Drive, rather than EAST towards the 
roost. At one point some years ago I tried to collect information using this 
forum about other crow roosts in and around the city but the response was 
minimal, so perhaps there are few others nearby.  If I am successful in 
getting more information, I will post another message.

Best wishes to all for a very Happy New Year.

Bob McDonald
Halifax
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry
Mount Saint Vincent University


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Laviolette, Lance (EXP)" <lance.laviolette@lmco.com>
To: "NatureNS" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:25 AM
Subject: [NatureNS] The Crow Roost at Mt. Saint Vincent University


>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> I've had an inquiry about the crow roost at Mt. Saint Vincent
>> University. Can anyone tell me anything about it and its history such
>> as how long it's been there? How many crows use it? From how far away
>> might the birds be coming to use it?
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Lance
>
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