Birders,



On October 30, Phil Wegener and Randy Knapp reported finding a WESTERN
SCRUB-JAY along Drayton Harbor Road near Blaine. Mitch Blanton reported
seeing the bird yesterday (November 2) at the same location, so I thought I
would check it out today.



Imagine my surprise when I found not one but TWO Western Scrub-Jays there in
the early afternoon today. Both birds were seen at once several times, and I
got some fairly good photos for the record.



The exact location is near the intersection of Drayton Harbor Road and
Harborview Road, near the very southern tip of Drayton Harbor. As one
proceeds west from this intersection, there are feeders at the first house
one comes to (about a block from the intersection). The jays were repeatedly
getting shelled peanuts from the feeder, flying off to the SE (along the
shoreline road), and then landing in the several clumps of trees along the
shoreline, allowing pretty good views. There were also at least 2 STELLER'S
JAYS visiting the feeders. There are few places to park along the road, but
there is a pullout big enough for one car about halfway between the
intersection and the house.



After checking out the jay(s), I stopped at the Whatcom Creek footbridge
west of State Street in Bellingham to see if the TROPICAL KINGBIRD was still
there. Sure enough, it was very much in evidence, and was much more active
than when I saw it on Monday, changing perches at frequent intervals and
catching lots of insects in the fine November weather. It finally give its
call once before I left. I must say that this is the least vocal Tropical
Kingbird I have ever encountered.



Who says that rare birds don't turn up very often in Whatcom County?



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net