Crows Congregate in January at Carthage

During the frigid time of early morning on Monday, January 6th, well before the sun was anywhere near the eastern horizon, a bunch of crows gathered in the northern side of the Carthage neighborhood of midtown Omaha. Clock time was a few minutes before 5:30 a.m.

A bunch of these expressive black birds gathered at a flat and empty lot during pre-sunrise on a morning when temperatures were sub-zero, and even more chilling because of the northwest wind. There was a tinge of snow on the shorn turf.

Why they congregated is not known. Any suppositions would be based upon some sort of biased interpretation. One perspective — by Mr. Walt the observer — was that it was too cold for the birds to roost among the trees, so they instead sat upon the ground.

This is one point of view, from a man up early but with only a tiny bit of bird-related knowledge. But due to community communication, this event was given further consideration and discussion by the men in the north Carthage neighborhood. And we were a bunch of older guys, who talked together, and who thought about and discussed this one event as to get a better understanding of what happened.

A rational for the pre-dawn gathering might be because of something other than weather conditions. There may have been some decision for the flock to make? Had some misbehavior occurred, and which the birds had to deal with?

Among the flock, perhaps a few of the older and wiser birds with experience spanning at least a crow generation, made sure the flock gathered in an appropriate manner at a place where the entire clan was comfortable in their presence.

Crow court is a recognized activity for these birds — as indicated in the chronicles of Nebraska ornithology — so the morning's gathering may well have been such an event. Why else would these birds be so active two hours before sunrise?

In this neighborhood, the crows are also expressive a long time after sunset so the pre-dawn gathering was something unusual. A regular roost site is a couple of miles to the south at the cemetery at 50th and Leavenworth Street. Corvids are seemingly always active about the Carthage neighborhood. Numbers vary from one or two and then into flock counts with many crows flying along.

This latest gathering is not the first instance when American crows gathered at this grassy lot along Hamilton street. A similar congregation of crows at this same particular place occurred January 18, 2004. This occurrence — based upon a birdly perspective — seemed to have an intent associated with a group activity. Some birds walked or stood around. A small group in the middle of the gathering were associated with just a few others amidst the entire flock. Some of the birds were very vocal, but the sound was nothing that it could have been if all of the birds were expressive.

It seems obvious that the relatively open expanse of this urban lot suits the birds for them to gather and do their crow thing.

Obviously any decisions or outcome of any "deliberations" are not known, since only the crows know their decisions.

Further Nocturnal Activity

On the evening of January 8th, at 6:50 p.m., the raucous calls of many crows were vividly heard in the same, immediate area. The noise meant a stop in my walk, and soon the flock was seen wheeling about above 49th and Hamilton streets.

There were about 200 crows. Why they were flying about nearly two hours after sunset is, once again, not known? This area seems to be a place where they linger and flock during the dark of the night, and early morning.

Apparently there is a roost in the area, according to word of men who know, and also live in the neighborhood, based on this day's outing.

The crow place was discovered on the evening of January 9th, as more than 200 — with a count of ca. 220 — of these prominent black birds as seen etched in profile against a grey sky, while they were perched atop the upper branches of four deciduous trees by the corner 49th Avenue and Caldwell Street. It was a scene to enjoy in its nuance for this winter season. Especially interesting were the varied calls by members of the congregation. There were different tones and expressions which had to be nothing more than crow conversation.

During many years of watching, this is the first year known for a crow roost in Carthage. These grand birds are regularly about, but usually spend the night elsewhere, including, notably, at the cemetery at 50th and Leavenworth streets, as noted in past years.

The dark setting made it nearly impossible to get a suitable photograph, though there were some pics taken, especially including a broad perspective that provided enough illustrative light.

While walking along the sidewalks, or streets where there is no places for pedestrians, the antics of the crows, calling, with flying from one tree to another brought forth a singular chord of thought. There will be crows at Carthage many years after their primary fan of 2014 is long gone...

Congregation of Flying Crows Continues Above Carthage

The initial intent for a Monday evening outing was to get involved in civil discourse at the mayoral forum scheduled at a church on the west side of Dundee. However, the Dundee Presbyterian Church was completely closed because of the snow, as dramatically shown by a sign on the door. The people responsible for this decision obviously did not give any attention to the evening event's time, because the streets were free of snow, and basically dry. There was no hindrance to anyone wanting to attend the monthly meeting of the Dundee-Memorial Park Association. It was supposed to be an opportunity to visit with mayoral candidates, yet it did not happen because of a lame excuse by holy officials, which they spread upon the public. Sounds typical for a religious entity.

Upon my arrival on the east side of the place on the west side of Happy Hollow Boulevard, not even the two Boy Scouts leaders and the boys loitering outside could get inside to have their usual meeting.

With the initial intent quashed, the evening's walk continued northward along the Happy Hollow, and transitioned into an evening time to listen to the antics of robins. Their voice was certainly more pleasing that any verbal linguistics by politicians in the basement of a church.

Because of a caw or two or more descending from above, the realm of the natural sky became the place to focus upon, as there was the usual evening passage across the realm by the crows above Carthage. They fly here every day, hither and yon. It is a representation of the wild spirit of the world within a urban scape. There is nothing fake associated with the crows, whereas at the church, which is a structure where birds are not welcome, and conveys an obvious indifference to the natural world. Not everyone is welcome, despite what the pathetic signage of the church conveys on their placard signage near the intersection of Underwood Avenue and Happy Hollow Boulevard. These words are nothing but a bunch of trivial nothing.

Beyond the place of hypocrites, a few expressive crows were winging southward just a few minutes past 7 p.m. It was of no special significance, but was given attention because of an interest in these birds, as enjoyed on days earlier in the year.

The skies at the time were a sublime blue of a late winter sky. Only a few small, actually insignificant clouds there were, towards the east.

About ten minutes past the 7 p.m. hour, daylight savings time, the grand flight began. Groups of crows were going southward to a place near Leavenworth Street. There was an actual stream of black birds. Only an occasional caw occurred. Then there were more above and beyond the street place which was nothing but a pedestrian route, but obviously a spot to bird watch.

There was an effort to count every bird going past, up in the blue space of the sky. It was mostly accomplished, even though about 7:15 p.m. local time, there had to be some quick denotions, when a big bunch of spread-apart crows went past overhead.

After this extent of vivacious crows, it seemed that the number was so similar to another count, that there was a thought that perhaps more birds would be seen, and possibly convey something unexpected and new?

Then it happened. After a couple of minutes, nearly one hundred more flew past, readily visible from the hilltop perspective that can be uniquely appreciated only within the Carthage neighborhood.

Crows have been gathering and vividly expressing their presence during various hours of the lingering days of this enduring winter. Their occurrence has been specially seen and appreciated in a sublime manner or two or three, within this urban neighborhood of eastern Omaha.

The final date of any congregation this year is still not known, now.

Perhaps a pair lingering near a nearby conifer, might indicate a pair intent on a breeding space. So maybe the caw of the crow in Carthage will continue. Once spring weather arrives, the situation will be better known.

Nearly 200 of these beautiful birds flew past by 7:20 p.m., daylight savings time, on Tuesday, the next day. It was a bit of a repeat of the beating wings from Monday. How wonderful ... and a particular appreciation of the outing was a policeman on North 49th Street, doing his duty.

Crows Congregate Among Place of the Dead

During these latter times of winter, American Crows continue to gather, as they have for several years in eastern Omaha. The place they prefer as a nightly roost is the Holy Sepulchure Cemetery, northeast from 50th and Leavenworth Streets.

Nearly every morning this month, and most likely every morning if there had been given particular attention to this topic, the crows could be seen flying northward over the bluffs of Carthage. After having seen the flight of these black birds, a hunch needed to be followed to determine where these birds were spending their nights.

There was an expectation about the roost site, but it had to be actually discovered, again. On a relatively warm Saturday night in mid-February, a dusk time visit was made to the cemetery. It was the right place to see many crows gathering at dusk.

Initially, there were a bunch of expressive crows among the treetops, as observed from 50th Street, with more than 200 counted. Continuing on into the place, my route went along the cemetery drives. It was an opportunity to hopefully get a closer look at the crows perched atop the trees, but they were mostly flying away, especially to the southwest.

Crows, being smart birds, preferred to go elsewhere, rather than deal with an unexpected intruder. The birds' flight continued during the evening visit.

The apparent usual routine for the crows is to gather at their night's roost. They would likely ignore the drive through at dusk by the cemetery's hired security firm, and then settle in within the trees surrounded by open space, and enclosed by a fence to keep away any intrusions.

Typical for the crows, obviously in the morning, they would fly along to other places.

A few crows typically seen here and there at Carthage, Dundee, Memorial Park and the UNOmaha campus are birds most probably from the Leavenworth Street congregation. The crows have also been notable in expressing their perspective about raptorial birds, especially being expressive about the occurrence of Cooper's Hawks, among the midtown district.

In early February 2010, the gathering of the crows was also documented at this locale, with a county of 300.

O, the Crow, the Beautiful Crow

The New Orleans Republican says the following is in general circulation in the West. It's authorship is unknown, but striking harmony of sentiment and verification has led some of our exchanges to attribute it to Wash. McLean, of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Air. — O. the Snow, the Beautiful Snow.

I.

O, the crow, the beautiful crow,

How the quills stick as they downward go!

Dearest diet of all, that we've got

To swallow, whether we like it or not,

Choking,

Joking,

Worrying down.

Forcing a smile that looks more like a frown

The unpitying Hands that go snickering by,

Ask it it's nice, with a wink of the eye.

Of all the tough things we have eaten they know

There is nothing so tough as the Tildonite crow!

II.

Once I was not fond of raven, but now

I prefer to any bird roosting on bough,

Broiled prairie-chicken or canvas back roast,

Snipe, squash, or quail upon toast.

Turkey,

Buzzard,

Vulture, Owl

All are less sweet than the primest of fowl

Blacked, and roasted, boiled with care,

Served on platform we didn't prepare.

O'er it for sauce pour a bar'l or so

Of greenbacks, and then what is sweeter than crow?

III.

Spread is the table, the guests they are met.

Storey has come, though with signs of regret,

Watterson is as Amphibryon set.

Waiter Dorsheimer with reverence low.

Asks, "Raven broth, sir, or purse de crow?"

Entrees

Crow hash

Corbeau, roti.

Crow pot-pie and crow salad sed,

Wines — Old Crow, and the ladies say,

"Fray, will you join in a game of crow-quet."

All that are round or before us we know

Are varieties on the single theme — Crow.

IV.

O, for a lodge in some wilderness vast,

Where Storey and I could avoid this repast!

O, that my lot with the Sioux had been cast!

That I were sitting, not as here forlorn,

At the small end of the Little Bighorn.

Scalping,

Torturing,

Shooting Crows.

There as my implacable foes!

Happier far the Dakota's lot,

Though certainly starved and probably shot,

Let the worst come to the worst, poor Lo

Has only to kill, not to eat his crow.

Cincinnati, July, 1876.

Oswego Daily Times 33(151): 4. Issued July 29, 1876.