I had a call this morning that the Blue Jay is coming in regularly at the bottom end of Sundance Road loop south of Othello. This bird showed up this fall and is probably the same bird that used the same area from fall 2002 until May 2003. Take SR 24 south of Othello 3+ miles, turn left on Atkinson Road and go about a mile to Sundance. Take either end south to where it loops back and watch/listen along the inside of the loop.

This afternoon there were two or three Lapland Longspurs mixed in with Horned Larks just west of Royal Lake on and near Columbia NWR. Take I-90 to Vantage Bridge and exit at SR 26. Go nearly 30 miles east and turn north on Road D SE about 2 miles, then right on Road 15.1 SE. Watch for flocks in the next mile. My guess is they are found in small number mixed in most larger flocks with Horned Larks. Today's was a first Refuge record, although long overdue. I did not find any Snow Buntings, but they are expected in winters like this (snowy) as well.

Randy Hill
Othello