Tweets, Perhaps these observations regarding scrub-jays may provide more
context to the recent flurry of posts. In Tenino (s. Thurston Co) I observed
the first scrub-jay in fall/winter of 1989 or 90, 20 or 21 years ago. (They
may have been present earlier, but I wasn't.) Within a year or two I noted
indications of breeding: 6 individuals or a family group appeared together
during that timeframe. Concurrently Centralia/Chehalis (south end of
airport) had what appeared to be a fully established population. At this
time of year they are particularly active apparently caching the neighbor's
horsechestnuts -- it is not unusual to find these nuts and acorns (which do
not grow within sight) sprouting in random places in the yard, and holly,
too. For about 10 years running these jays have wiped out every attempted
brood of Chestnut-backed Chickadees in our yard, up until the last two or
three years when, apparently, all such attempts were abandoned. Don't count
me as a scrub-jay fan! They may be entertaining but certainly don't make
good neighbors!!
-- Paul Hicks / phicks AT accessgrace DOT org / Tenino, s. Thurston Co