Winter crow roost near Village of Shirlington

[james wilson]

There is also a very substantial winter crow roost near Village at Shirlington (part of Arlington).  Early this month I observed the crows arriving from the roof of the parking garage at the end of the shopping area, it was very dramatic.   

I also spend time in the Lincolnia neighborhood of Alexandria, which is about 4 miles southwest of Shirlington, and I have observed a stream of crows heading toward the Shirlington roost, roughly flying along Braddock Road, lasting about 40 minutes!

As for the North Bethsda roost (a separate post), I'd be very interested in any knowledge folks have about where exactly this roost is overnight (I found some at Shirlington House Apts. on 31st Street, but far from the total) and where the crows head to during the days.  If you've witnessed the streams in and out, where, when, roughly how many, direction would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Jim Wilson

     

[James Wilson]

Thanks also to the folks who provided observations about the Shirlington roost, either to the group or just to me.   I live a lot farther from this one but would like to understand it better too, and will watch on radar too.

Please do send more observations of streams or staging, with intersection and time if you can, thank you!

Jim

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[James Wilson]

And thanks for multiple sitings of a third DC area crow roost at New
Carrollton metro!  The three roosts I am now aware of -- North Bethesda,
Shirlington, and New Carrollton -- happen to be about exactly 15 miles
from each other, making an equilateral triangle.

I will definitely make it over to New Carrollton to see the roost at
some time, and would be interested in any more observations of the roost
or of the streams of crows leaving/returning each sunrise/sunset.

Thanks!

Jim

[Marcia Watson]

I can add that the New Carrollton roost has been in existence for many years. The Bowie Christmas Bird Count circle includes viewpoints from which the flight to/from the roost can be seen, so data are captured there. The huge number of birds in late afternoon freaks out the commuters using the trains. People scuttle to their cars, newspapers over their heads, exclaiming loudly about Alfred Hitchcock. I always chuckled about this when getting off the train in the days when I was still working.

Marcia
------------
Marcia Watson
Phoenix, MD

> On Feb 2, 2025, at 1:36 PM, James Wilson <jfwil...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> And thanks for multiple sitings of a third DC area crow roost at New Carrollton metro! The three roosts I am now aware of -- North Bethesda, Shirlington, and New Carrollton -- happen to be about exactly 15 miles from each other, making an equilateral triangle.

>
> I will definitely make it over to New Carrollton to see the roost at some time, and would be interested in any more observations of the roost or of the streams of crows leaving/returning each sunrise/sunset.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim
>
>

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[Evelyn Ralston]

Hi Marcia,

Thank you for this vivid description. I love the image of the train passengers, papers over their heads. Too bad Hitchcock couldn’t see it!

 

Evelyn

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[James Wilson]

Anyone have an idea where the actual winter crow roost is near the New
Carrollton metro??

So last Saturday I went to the New Carrollton metro before first light,
hoping to hear and see the roost nearby.  I went to the top of the
parking garage where I could see and hear in all directions, but no
crows were around; at a winter crow roost, the crows are very noising
during that time of day.  I also drove around the area a bit, and I did
not find the roost.  I got a few glances of streams of crows from a
distance but that's it.

I don't doubt that the crows hang out near the metro in the evening
before moving on to the actual roost, which is likely within a mile of
the metro hangout spots.  I'd like to give another try to finding the
roost if someone can narrow down where it might be.

Thanks for any help.

Jim

[John Stith]

Jim, last winter the roost was in the trees on the northwest and southwest corners of Pennsy Drive and Corporate Drive, very visible from the top of the new Metro parking garage. I haven't been there this winter -- perhaps it has moved!

Years ago the crows also used the landscaping trees immediately outside the south exit of the train station, but those trees were removed when built the new garages.

John Stith

Chillum, Md.

[Denise Ryan]

If the first light approach doesn't work, what about the opposite. Could you go to the garage at sundown and wait, and then see what direction they go when they move on to the overnight roost?

Denise Ryan

Cheverly, MD

[james wilson]

I found the New Carrollton winter crow roost current location:

From the metro entrance intersection of Pennsy Drive and  Corporate Drive, it's down Pennsy to the southwest less than 1/2 mile, just after Pennsy crosses Highway 50, just before Ardwick Ardmore Road.  Right across from Royal Farms.  Trees along the Hwy 50 overpass and further in.

Thanks so much to those who suggested where to look.

I was there this morning about 40 minutes before sunrise.  The crows got very noisy and active (mix of American and Fish crows).  The usual winter crow roost morning activity:  several times a great flapping of wings and cawing as hundreds take off, make a few big circles filling the sky, and then come back down to further discuss the plans for the day.  Really a sight to see (and hear!) if you've never experienced it.

And this show is closing soon!  The weather radar history at North Bethesda suggests the numbers fall off the radar each year around February 20.

Thanks again all,

Jim

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[james wilson]

The winter crow roost near Shirlington is also happening again this year, I observed it on Nov. 5 and saw birds in large numbers.  There was substantial staging around Shirlington House and along the ridge west of there, but I could not find the actual roost, despite interviewing various local residents.  If anyone has insights on where these crows actually spend their winter nights I would love to hear it.  The Reagan Airport TDWR weather radar captures these crows coming and going, I have a lot of information about where they spend their days (out past Burke to the west, south to Groveton and beyond), but haven't found the roost area.  

FYI there will be a presentation and walking tour about the North Bethesda roost, and winter crow roosts in general, on December 7, I will post about that separately.

Thanks for anything anyone can share about this fascinating bit of bird social behavior.

Jim

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 1:31:17 PM UTC-5 james wilson wrote:

There is also a very substantial winter crow roost near Village at Shirlington (part of Arlington).  Early this month I observed the crows arriving from the roof of the parking garage at the end of the shopping area, it was very dramatic.   

I also spend time in the Lincolnia neighborhood of Alexandria, which is about 4 miles southwest of Shirlington, and I have observed a stream of crows heading toward the Shirlington roost, roughly flying along Braddock Road, lasting about 40 minutes!

As for the North Bethesda roost (a separate post), I'd be very interested in any knowledge folks have about where exactly this roost is overnight (I found some at Shirlington House Apts. on 31st Street, but far from the total) and where the crows head to during the days.  If you've witnessed the streams in and out, where, when, roughly how many, direction would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Jim Wilson

     

[james wilson]

I went down to watch the awesome staging at sunset (from the parking garage adjacent to the shops and restaurants).  After dark I found that indeed, the crows roost in the trees around Shirlington House (in front, behind, and west end) and in the trees in the adjacent apartments to the west, Park Shirlington.  I am interested in any additional intelligence anyone might have about this roost.

Jim