Proavis
Well-known member
Florida Scrub Jay at Jonathan Dickinson Park!
Had a great family day birding today at Jonathan Dickinson Park, and proud to report first Florida Scrub Jay sighting, the best photo of which was posted in the Bird Forum gallery.
6:30 AM: Arrived at the park, but it does not open until 8am, so headed up the road a bit to Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge, approximately 2 miles north of the main entrance to Jonathan Dickinson. Just before sunrise, spotted what appeared to be a porpoise breaching in Hobe Sound. Also saw a few Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers in the treetops, and a Northern Cardinal.
8:00 AM: Returned to Jonathan Dickinson State Park just as they opened. A friendly ranger was kind enough to recommend the trail near the old railroad tracks that was known to have Florida Scrub Jays after a recent survey.
8:30 AM: Heard what sounded like a Scrub Jay call, but turned out to be that of a talented mimic, the Loggerhead Shrike.
9:00 AM: Only Shrikes, Mourning Doves, Northern Mockingbirds and Great Egrets so far.
9:30 AM: Dejected and sun beating down and ready to call it a day, began the trek back to the car.
9:45 AM: A Florida Scrub Jay dives out from the trees alongside the trail. Jumped about in the middle of the road for a bit, then flew back into the scrub again. Many pictures taken, good times were had by all!
Had a great family day birding today at Jonathan Dickinson Park, and proud to report first Florida Scrub Jay sighting, the best photo of which was posted in the Bird Forum gallery.
6:30 AM: Arrived at the park, but it does not open until 8am, so headed up the road a bit to Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge, approximately 2 miles north of the main entrance to Jonathan Dickinson. Just before sunrise, spotted what appeared to be a porpoise breaching in Hobe Sound. Also saw a few Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers in the treetops, and a Northern Cardinal.
8:00 AM: Returned to Jonathan Dickinson State Park just as they opened. A friendly ranger was kind enough to recommend the trail near the old railroad tracks that was known to have Florida Scrub Jays after a recent survey.
8:30 AM: Heard what sounded like a Scrub Jay call, but turned out to be that of a talented mimic, the Loggerhead Shrike.
9:00 AM: Only Shrikes, Mourning Doves, Northern Mockingbirds and Great Egrets so far.
9:30 AM: Dejected and sun beating down and ready to call it a day, began the trek back to the car.
9:45 AM: A Florida Scrub Jay dives out from the trees alongside the trail. Jumped about in the middle of the road for a bit, then flew back into the scrub again. Many pictures taken, good times were had by all!
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