Dennis Paulson's comment about wandering immature Steller's Jays
reminded me of an observation I made this year that I've been meaning
to post.

This year, I've kept a yard list divided by month. I check off what I
see in Jan, Feb, Mar, etc. instead of just a running total. Along
about April (I don't have the list with me, so I can't remember the
exact month), the Steller's Jays disappeared. I had a Steller's marked
for all the winter months and he/she/they were quite visible and loud.
Steller's were absent until a sudden noisy and obvious reappearance in
August. I've heard at least one every day since.

I live in a moderately dense residential neighborhood in Lake City.
Plenty of trees, but no large stands. Is my experience unique, i.e.,
was there simply no breeding pair in my neighborhood, or do the
Steller's retreat uphill or to the parks to breed?

Kelly Cassidy