Hi Tweets;
Early this morning I heard a terrible racket in the woods so I hurried
to the sound to see what was up. When I arrived at the spot there on a
limb was perched a Great Horned owl. The racket was being made by a
flock of Steller's jays telling every ear in the woods about the
location of the owl. Years ago I used to think Steller's jays were just
gluttons at the feeder. But today I respect them greatly for their role
as alarm givers. Every time I hear their racket I make a special effort
to find the source of their warnings and I am rewarded by memorable
sightings. Recently one evening I followed their racket thinking I
would find another interesting owl but when I got to the top of a steep
bank the only thing I found was a stump recently torn to pieces by a
bear and other hot sign! The jays warn everything about my presence too
and and anything else they are concerned about. Yesterday I was told by
a bear hunter (bear, cougar and deer season now) that he could tell by
the racket of Steller's jays if a bear was in the area. He has located
many bears this way and that was the end of the bears. So Steller's
jays can also unintentionally be trouble-makers. Hunters also told me
yesterday that cougars cover their deer kills (I had the new experience
of seeing one yesterday) to keep Ravens from telling bears about the
location. Cougars want to keep their kill safe for two days while it is
still fresh. Hunters also use Raven calls to attract bears when they
are hunting them. Bears have learned to go to an area where they have
heard a gun shot to locate potential meat. All these creatures are so
intelligent and are always finding ways to assure their own survival.
Joy Stickney-Markgraf
near White Salmon WA
email: joymarkgraf at gorge.net