On Saturday (January 16) I visited Quincy and found the BLUE
JAY after about an hour of searching.
While watching the feeders along Monte Vista I heard the bird calling
from west of Coburn and eventually tracked it to a yard along Boyle Street in
between Coburn and Alder where it was with a group of Stellers Jays. It eventually flew off into the tall pines
near the school. From
previous reports and advice from locals it seems to range over a pretty large
area of the neighborhood, and usually associates with one of the groups of
Stellers Jays. A couple photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78394132@N00/24430989455/in/dateposted/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/78394132@N00/24347797821/in/photostream/
In a couple hours searching Saturday afternoon I failed to
turn up even any goldfinches in Chester, but had better luck on Monday morning when I found the continuing COMMON REDPOLL with a group of about 20 Lesser
Goldfinches and Pine Siskins in a birch tree at the corner of Riverside and
Fourth. Photo here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78394132@N00/24360489312/in/dateposted/
For anyone chasing these birds from other areas of the
state, a stop at Stampfli Lane near Greensville (just off the 89, between
Quincy and Chester) may be worthwhile. I
had a NORTHERN SHRIKE in the small
wetland area, south of Stampfli between the 89 and the railroad tracks (one was
previously reported here back in December as well). A few hundred yards further there were
several Black-billed Magpies near the first couple farm houses on the north
side. A Rough-legged Hawk was also
working this area.
Alex Abela