On January 1, 2015, I saw two Common Ravens canoodling at the end of 39th Street. (Down beyond 1st Avenue; let’s call it O Avenue.) They mated, nested, and raised a brood that year, for the first time in Brooklyn in I don’t know how long. Since then, Common Ravens have become a relatively common sight in Sunset Park and other parts of Brooklyn. Three species of Corvus are now found around us. Last year, I finally found the nest–although I don’t know if this has been continuously used since ’15.
I have seen them stealing duck eggs; extracting eggs from a Costco carton on the sidewalk; raiding dumpsters; give the what-for to Red-tailed Hawks; carrying sticks; grunt-barking and knocking, flying in family groups of half a dozen; and above all passing overhead giving their distinctive calls. This past weekend I saw them collecting moss for the first time.
They use this to line their nest, along with animal hair, grasses, and bark (Harrison: A Field Guide to Birds’ Nests). (Tardigrades activate!)
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New Medium essay on Konstantin Paustovsky.
Backyard and Beyond 
It’s reassuring to see species that were uncommon and irregular just a decade ago. Seeing one today no longer has to mean you won’t see it again for a few months. The number of indiiduals could be better, but the number of species has increased to my eye. Enjoy!