Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘Bird-watcher’s paradise’: Countless crows swoop in to Bothell Crow Watch

Thousands of crows roost every night on the UW Bothell campus. Even longtime locals are awed by the spectacle.

BOTHELL — “It’s just so weird,” lifelong Bothell resident Lisa Coon said as she stared at the sky.

Coon and her husband, Mitch Evans, often watch the crows swarm over the city from the windows of their home. Evans said the crows even turn the sky black on some winter nights.

Thousands of crows have gathered nightly at the University of Washington’s Bothell campus for at least 14 years. The “murder,” or group, of crows in Bothell can reach a peak of up to 16,000 birds.

Even those who witness the phenomenon regularly are still awed. On Wednesday evening, standing close together, the couple had a front row seat as the corvids descended on the trees behind the UW Bothell football field.

Close to 200 people attended UW Bothell’s annual Crow Watch, featuring several presentations about crows and an invitation to watch the birds at dusk.

People gather for Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

People gather for Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Observers began crowding at the North Creek Events Center, overlooking the football field, at 4 p.m. — almost an hour before the crows started landing. Many held binoculars and cameras in anticipation of the crows’ arrival.

Flocks of geese flying high above the field throughout the evening occasionally caused confusion among onlookers who wanted to make sure they caught the first glimpses of crows.

Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

“Are those crows and geese?” asked Sabrina Bates, a UW Bothell alumna who enjoys coming back to her alma mater for the free entertainment. With so many groups of birds circling above the football field, it was difficult to distinguish the species.

“It’s a bird-watcher’s paradise,” said Bates, eyes trained toward the sky.

Close to 5 p.m., the crows stopped hovering and started landing on campus buildings. Many swooped even lower to the ground, swirling almost 30 feet away from onlookers standing on the path between the football field and tennis courts. Most of the crows settled into nearby trees, but a small group huddled on a tennis court, unfazed by people who moved as close as they could.

Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crows gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Faculty at UW Bothell suspect the 58-acre site on campus became a roosting area for crows around 2009 because trees in the nearby wetlands were tall enough, at last, to provide nighttime protection. Crow experts said the campus is also a central location for the birds to gather, beckoning them from cities across King and Snohomish counties.

Ursula Valdez, a lecturer at UW Bothell, discussed how media influences public feelings toward birds in a presentation at this year’s Crow Watch. She mentioned Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” and how the 1963 film played a significant role in making people wary of crows.

She said events like the Crow Watch encourage people to learn about the birds’ actual behavior.

“We don’t tend to notice things that are around us,” Valdez said.

Crows and geese gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crows and geese gather during Crow Watch 2023 at the UW Bothell campus in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of crows come to roost nightly. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

When her family members from Peru come to visit, Valdez said they always want to see this local spectacle.

She believes people are constantly captivated by UW Bothell’s crows because of the sheer number of them and the predictability of their daily roost.

Valdez said, “People like things that are out of the ordinary.”

Ta’Leah Van Sistine: 425-339-3460; taleah.vansistine@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @TaLeahRoseV.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Family searches for answers in 1982 Gold Bar cold case murder

David DeDesrochers’ children spent years searching for him before learning he’d been murdered. Now, they want answers.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Hawthorne Elementary students Kayden Smith, left, John Handall and Jace Debolt use their golden shovels to help plant a tree at Wiggums Hollow Park  in celebration of Washington’s Arbor Day on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Options abound for observance of Earth Day

Earth Day is just around the corner, and The Daily… Continue reading

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lake Stevens parents arrested in child sex abuse, bestiality case

Couple allegedly filmed 4-year-old daughter, shared material online, police say.

Lynnwood man, 66, killed in multi-vehicle crash on Highway 532

Another driver is in custody for investigation of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as a result of the collision on Friday.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.