Two of my friends and I went to Crow Butte Park today to try to see the
three species of jays that were previously reported. I had stopped there
yesterday with a group from work and we only saw 1 Steller's. It was very
windy and we did not have much time to search. (Many thanks to Alan Richards
who told us all 3 species were still present.) Today we did see all three;
at least 4 Steller's, 1 Blue Jay and 1 Western Scrub-Jay. In fact we had a
6 corvid day with Common Raven, American Crow, and Black-billed Magpie being
present. We also saw a "yellow-shafted" Northern Flicker (male with black
moustache, red nape, yellow shafts, tan face, gray crown).

Also present were some other birds that can be a bit challenging in Benton
county. We had a Fox Sparrow, 2 Cassin's Finches, and 2 Golden-crowned
Sparrows.

On the way to Crow Butte from the Tri-Cities we went on Highway 221. We saw
a Rough-legged Hawk and 1000 Snow Geese. The geese were in a field with
sprouting wheat. We did not see any geese on Whitcomb Island so maybe since
it was a hunt day there, they were in farm fields. There was also another
Rough-legged along Clodfelter Road in the Horse Heaven Hills on the way back
home.

A note about Crow Butte Park - the park is officially closed and people
doing maintenance there are telling people to leave because they are afraid
of liability. Yesterday we were told by a Port Of Benton employee in the
park that birders could be there but to stay well away from people operating
equipment. The noise is such that they may not know you are walking near
them. So, be careful and do not loose the goodwill that Port of Benton has
for birders. The facilities are closed and all water is turned off.

Nancy LaFramboise
Richland