Sharron,
In my Chicago neighborhood, about 10 years ago I think, the West Nile Virus killed off a good amount of birdlife. In particular, those black crows I used to hate. The rat population exploded. And then the rabbits moved in. If I came home late at night, I would drive down an alley and see rats. People know the city has rats, but I had never in my 50 years seen one. And for that matter, I never saw a rabbit. But the lawns were littered with rabbits. I couldn't walk my dog in the early morning hours because skunks were walking down the streets. I think those darn crows kept everything in check.
A few years ago, Hawks have moved in. An eagle was spotted at a forest preserve not far from my house a couple years ago too. And there was an article in the Chicago Tribune recently about owls in the area. I think the word is out that there's good eating in Chicago neighborhoods.
I hated those crows. I used to go out in my nightgown and chase them from the bird feeder. When I was walking the dog yesterday I heard one cawing and looked up and there it was in the tree right above me. I thought I better move before it poops on me. Hope it stays. I'm still trying to keep rabbits out of the yard. And if its stops by to visit the bird feeder, he is more than welcome to stay.
