Tweeters,

I believe that Western Scrub Jays are continuing to expand into new areas in Thurston County. They
have been present in the county for a long time but they are becoming a more regular sight all of
the time. In addition to all portions of Olympia (downtown, eastside, westside) and Littlerock (which
Michelle Blanchard mentioned), I have seen them in the Skookumchuck River valley in south Thurston
County. I found it a bit surprising at first because it lacks the urban or residential character of
most places where I have seen them (Littlerock also lacks the urban and residential features to
a large degree). Both Skookumchuck River valley and Littlerock have Oregon White oak, extensive
deciduous riparian forests and broad, flat floodplains dominated by pastures and hayfields. Is this
what scrub jays like? Apparently. I believe the Western Scrub Jays around Elma also are inhabiting the
pasture/riparian matrix, with a little bit of small town flavor added in.

Kelly McAllister