Something To Crow About

Local Traditional Knowledge (LTK) can come in all guises…
These colder months I have depended on a clan of six local American Crows to help me monitor the Fort Wright Parade Ground area.

I began noting this group three years ago- regularly at low tide sifting and pecking along kelp mounds on the western end of South beach.

Very crafty and clever, these “Sentinels” have aided my own astute observations in the field time and time again- so much so that I also rely on their Fish Crow cousins over in Hay Harbor.

With their alarming and “mobbing” raucous (or Caw-cous!) they alert me to nearby birds of prey,  call my attention to incoming tidal marine debris,(especially silvery mylar)and hover like a black shroud over the stench of hidden seal and sea turtle carcasses. They stand their ground staunchly too in whatever remains of a Coyote kill -usually pheasant or rabbit.

The birds have even routinely noted over the years that the 4:15pm Ferry crowd conveniently leaves the most “dinner” refuse-watch the six of them hover over and land at 4:50pm scavenging the docks and parking lot.

These days Crows call me (collect!) with a sighting of Snowy Owl gliding over Parade Grounds and Common Eider and Merganser nibbling below the dock pilings in Silver Eel Cove.