Steller's Jays are no more supposed to be migratory than quails, but in
fact their annual migration is a very prominent feature of the western WA
landscape. This fall I've seen it a lot. I don't think it can be confused
with normal flight, and perhaps it could be defined operationally as "any
time jays fly persistently at or above the treetops for >100m in one
direction." We don't know if it involves birds of all ages or only young,
but loose flocks of 10-20 birds, or even more, can be seen. It seems to
peak in September, with much less evidence of it in August or October. It
is characteristic of coastal areas but occurs also well away from the
coast. It seems different from the normal dispersal of young birds in that
it is very directional, with most flocks clearly bearing southward. I have
seen it only a few times in spring, once on Leadbetter Point where jays
flew north to the end of the vegetation and then stopped and milled about.
The same thing happens at the south end of the Ocean Shores Peninsula in
fall, and it's quite a sight to see a Steller's Jay fly way out over open
country, slower and slower, and finally turn around and head back to the
trees. I hope all Tweeters who live in or spend time in wooded areas have
noticed this.

Dennis Paulson