>I heard from a reliable naturalist that a Scrub Jay paid a brief visit to
>her Shoreline (Seattle neighborhood) suet feeder this week. Is this the
>season to expect wandering Scrub Jays in Western Washington, or was it
>just coincidence?
>
>Chris Hill, Everett, WA cehill at u.washington.edu

I think autumn is the time to expect wandering *anything*, as young birds
disperse to new territories. Florida Scrub-Jays stay in their parents'
territories, but I don't think the ones out here do that. You certainly
see a huge dispersal of Steller's Jays at this time of year, and I've often
wondered if they are only immatures.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416