So tonight we did something we’ve been wanting to do for about two or so years – follow the crows that fly in vast numbers out of Vancouver every night. A little research told us that one of the “murders” gathers in Burnaby near Costco, the Keg and McDonalds. This particular murder used to be much bigger when we first found out about it (Susannah was witness to it), but the developing commerce in the area has taken their land, so the numbers nowadays are less. Still it was a pretty impressive sight to see so many flying overhead and to hear their chattering. 
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Why do they gather in such large numbers? I don’t know, but every night it seems they are following some primeval sense as they follow their internal GPS. Crows are not protected in BC so even though generations of crows have been going to the same location night after night for decades, the land they use is available for development at any time. This is the case for the Burnaby gathering which is nowhere near the number of a few years ago.
I find the crows’ behaviour quite fascinating and definitely intend to find out more. Look out for Parts 2 and more of this blog as we follow the crows to this and other locations in and around Vancouver.
+ - 2 comments
Nicole Alley - Great idea for a photo project! I remember watching the sunset in Kitsilano and seeing the crows fly out en masse, wondering where they were headed. That’s ad about their habitat being usurped by development. I wonder where they’ll end up going. Looking forward to more in the series.
Big sis - Fascinating. I want to know more too. Like why it is called a “murder” of crows?