Lots of Crows this Summer?

I've talked to several people in the Puget Sound area this year and we all have noticed a lot more crows. I'm in the foothills and my neighbors and I have noticed it. I work in downtown Seattle and my coworkers from around the area have also noticed it.

Is this going on anywhere else in the U.S.? Is this a big year for crows for some reason?

Hi katie, I haven't noticed an increase but they did come down into my yard this year.

Count yourselves lucky then, the west nile virus has, over the last 3 years killed all of my neighborhood crows. We had a group of 40 -50 4 years ago. My group was down to 3 - 5 this spring and now they are not showing up at the feeders or the roadkill on the highway. I've asked a woodsman that works down near the cliff where they lived if he had seen them and he hasn't since June. I'm glad that they are surviving and prospering in your areas. I miss them and worry for the other large birds.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any vultures since spring. Are they killed by the virus too?

I don't know for sure if there are any other birds affected by the virus. That's too bad.

This is an interesting development. I'll have to post on the Pacific NW Forum and see what people there think. It sounds like the large number is just a local phenomenon.

I don't mind them so much (except at dawn if I'm trying to sleep), but boy a lot of people seem to wish they were gone. I'll mention to them that they should see the presence of the crows as a good sign!!!

Thanks, guys.

No shortage of Carrion Crows here! Different species of course, though.

Resin