Zoom Presentation and Field Trip to the Roost in Springfield with Naturalist Patti Steinman

Over time and across cultures, crows have been cast as figures in art, poetry, and storytelling. In some cultures, they have been recognized for their wit, curiosity, mischief-making, and playfulness. In others they’re viewed as bad omens and symbols of death and doom. In colonial America, crows were considered pests and a serious nuisance to crops. Northampton’s first crow bounty was in 1735, and bounties continued in the nineteenth century. Through the World War II era, crows were poisoned and hunted, and their roosts were bombed.
 
Recent new research about their intelligence and complex social behavior has led to a new understanding and appreciation for crows and their impressive fall and winter roosts. For the last two decades, Patti Steinman, a naturalist at MassAudubon, has been studying crows and the City of Springfield’s Crow Roost, one of the largest in the state. At this time of year, it is the nightly gathering spot for about 10,000 crows—including all the crows that you see in Northampton during the day.
 
Patti Steinman is the Education Coordinator of Mass Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries and lives in Easthampton. She has worked in the environmental education field for over 30 years developing, teaching, and overseeing adult programs, day camps, nature preschools, and special events. Although interested in all aspects of natural history, at this time of year, on most evenings Patti can be found following the crows to their winter roost.