About twenty years ago, the crow population in our neighbourhood of Toronto was steadily increasing. We would see quite large flocks, especially on garbage day. West Nile virus reached Ontario in 2001. I can’t remember when I last saw a crow.
These population fluctuations can be very localized. We had lots of squirrels in our yard until we had to cut down our big maple tree. They weren’t nesting in it, but it must have provided a comforting escape route/thoroughfare. They are still nearby, but not as much on our property. OTOH, chipmunk activity is way up. I think squirrel aggression must have been keeping these adorable little pests away.
