As I drove into the drive way I noticed two dark birds fly from the back yard into the trees. As I got out of the car,I heard jays sounding upset. And along with the usual jay calls I heard another sort of call, sounding very jay like. I was hoping to see a scrub jay like the rest of the PNW seems to be seeing. But the brown like bird hot on the jays tail told me it was a Sharpie. They disappeared into the bushes still full of leaves. So I got the camera, bins and a blanket and settled myself on the steps to watch. The back yard was quiet except for the jays bouncing in the trees, and the sharpie chasing them. At one point the two jays were actually chasing the Sharpie. By accident he dived into the covered dog run and spent a few seconds circling the pen trying to find his way out. As he sat on the fence breathing hard, two jays landed near him and proceeded to clean their bills on the branches one above him and one below him. He finally took off to the woods with the call I recognize that little pew pew pew noise they make. And not missing a beat the jays at once went back to eating, and one jay feeling rather good about himself dive bombed a grey squirrel, and looked from my vantage point that he actually hit the squirrel. I was just about thinking the show was over when the Sharpie came back and the whole circus started all over, 4 jays and one sharpie circling around the yard and through the bushes. This time I got a picture of him on the fence and in the tree as he checked out the yard for easier prey. Again he disappeared into the woods, and a minute later I saw him fly to catch a small bird, he looked just like a flycatcher with his agile move thru the trees.
A few minutes more and the small birds that frequent the yard all began to appear and go about their business, and again I almost moved back into the house, but the noise from the yard birds let me know he was back. This time the jays totally ignored him, they watched him, watch them, they still ate the sunflower seeds and suet, he left them alone and after awhile he flew down into the woods. I called it a good afternoon as the rain started coming down.

I do have a picture, of him if anyone would like to see this hungry raptor.

Dawn Bailey
Eatonville, WA
mailto:dawnsdog at rainierconnect.com

If you were arrested for being kind, would there be enough evidence to convict you?