You never know when you’ll be lucky enough to spot a Florida Scrub Jay. When I was at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon, I hoped to catch a glimpse of one.
Imagine my delight when two Scrub Jays appeared just as I walked along the trail. They entertained me for 10 minutes, flying playfully back and forth, calling to each other and munching on berries. What a show! 💙🩵
The only species endemic to the Sunshine State, Florida Scrub Jays are “found only in low-growing oak scrub and scrubby flatwoods with sandy soils in Florida…” (All About Birds)
Unfortunately, like so many other threatened and endangered species, our Scrub Jays are increasingly facing “habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation from development and agriculture.” (FWC)
Birder's Journey 
What lovely birds! They are more two-tone than ours, which are variations on shades of blue — in fact, at first glance I often mistake ours for mountain bluebirds. Not yours! Gorgeous!
But so sorry to hear that they, like so many wildlife species, are struggling with habitat loss.
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Thank you, Amy! They are lovely and also fun to watch ☺️. Do you have the Stellar Jay in your region?
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🌳 Beneath the Florida sun’s warm embrace, ☀️ A tale of Scrub Jays, a charming grace. 🐦 At Merritt Island, a refuge so grand, 🏞️ Hoped to see them, and there they stand!
Along the trail, a magical sight, 🚶♀️ Two Jays appeared, feathers so bright. 💙 For ten sweet minutes, they danced and played, 🕊️ Aerial acrobats in the sun’s warm cascade.
Calling out, a merry exchange, 📣 Munching on berries, a feast arranged. 🍇 What a spectacle, what a delight, 🌈 Nature’s performers, a wondrous flight!
Endemic to the Sunshine State’s terrain, 🌞 In low oak scrub, they firmly remain. 🌿 “All About Birds” tells their unique story, 📖 Exclusive to Florida’s scrubby glory.
Yet, a shadow looms, a somber decree, ☁️ Habitat loss, a desperate plea. 💔 Destruction, fragmentation, degradation too, 🏗️ Challenges faced, a truth we knew.
Let’s stand as stewards, in nature’s grand show, 🌍 Preserving the homes where these Jays do grow. 🌳 For in their flight, a Florida tale, 📜 A precious legacy, we can’t let fail. 🌺
🌅☀️🐦🏞️🚶♀️💙🕊️📣🍇🌈🌞🌿📖☁️💔🏗️🌍🌳📜🌺
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Thank you for this wonderful tribute, Yishai! Your words are a powerful statement of advocacy for the Florida Scrub Jay!
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What beauties! They are such an elegant shape and a lovely blue. But it’s very sad that they are endangered through habitat loss. We need to learn to respect our fellow earthlings more…
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They truly are lovely, Ann. I shudder at the thought that a beautiful bird like this might not survive because of encroaching human development.
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That would certainly be tragic and I’m sure many people must agree, even amongst those who might be interested in the development of the area. Lets hope that any further development is restricted to somewhere less sensitive.
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👍🏼
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It certainly is an eye-catching bird!
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Very true, DeWets – I think they are the most handsome of Jays, in my eyes.
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What a lovely bird it is! Fine photos 😊
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Much appreciated, Belinda. Yes, the more threatened it becomes, the more special it is. ☺️
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Great captures of the Scrub Jay, Carol, and how fun to see a pair interact!
I’ve never seen one all of the times we’ve been to Merritt Island. Of course I’ve never walked the Scrub Jay Trail so my chances weren’t as good. Maybe next time!
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For a long time, I found it very hard to find the scrub jays. But for the last several visits, I’ve always seen one or two on the Scrub Ridge Trail, just before you get to Biolab Road. I also once encountered a Peregrine Falcon in a tree there (!), and an Eastern Towhee in the shrub.
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We’ve never stopped at that trail, either. Ted doesn’t have a lot of patience for the small bird hunt 😜. Wow on a Peregrine, that would get his attention! Did you go around Biolab Road?
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This time I didn’t go on BioLab Road at all. Have only been that way a couple of times.
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The first couple times I went there, probably five years ago, Biolab Road was great birding. Then it wasn’t— a combo of storm changes had something to do with it, and changes to where the folks fishing can go. I did just see on Facebook that four Flamingos were seen in that area, from a Kayak 😳.
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I didn’t notice that on FB. But I’ve had the same Biolab Rd experiences that you did, and haven’t been especially motivated to go back.☺️
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Beautiful shots of them! Jay’s are always entertaining aren’t they?
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They sure are! Thanks for your visit!
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Nice work finding and photographing these special birds.
There’s no doubt they are jays when you’re able to observe them for awhile.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Thank you, Wally! Do you have them up in your area of Florida?
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About a 30-minute ride, within the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest.
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We should check it out some day – we go right near there on our way to Circle B.
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The Arbuckle Tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest supports a healthy population of Scrub Jays. As you turn from Lake Arbuckle Rd. onto Rucks Dairy Rd., the next couple of miles is jay territory. Once into the “official” forest property (dirt road – School Bus Rd.), more family groups are scattered throughout the tract. Good luck!
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Wow, thanks a lot for all the guidance, Wally!
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Beautiful series, B.J.! They are pretty…and very vocal. 🤣
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Thank you, Deborah. Yes they are! In fact, every time I thought they’d left for good, one of them would pop up behind me, and start calling again. ☺️
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Beautiful shots with these birds .Anita
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Thank you so much, Anita. I was lucky that they put on such a display in front of me.
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Thanks 👍
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