Where are the Jays? (1 Viewer)

[sooseee]

I haven't seen a single jay this year in my local area-North Devon, inland- usually they have been quite a common sight in and around mixed woodland in a small river valley outside the village where I live. Has anyone else noticed the same lack? Wonder why.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

I haven't seen a single jay this year in my local area-North Devon, inland- usually they have been quite a common sight in and around mixed woodland in a small river valley outside the village where I live. Has anyone else noticed the same lack? Wonder why.

To be honest have noticed the complete opposite in west yorkshire, even seen some flying over busy roads with broken parkland.

Could just be one of those things?

 

[David Bl]

I haven't seen a single jay this year in my local area-North Devon, inland- usually they have been quite a common sight in and around mixed woodland in a small river valley outside the village where I live. Has anyone else noticed the same lack? Wonder why.

Over the last few years I seem to be seeing more and more of them round here. Nothing diffeent this year.

David

 

[gordon g]

I haven't seen a single jay this year in my local area-North Devon, inland- usually they have been quite a common sight in and around mixed woodland in a small river valley outside the village where I live. Has anyone else noticed the same lack? Wonder why.

I had seen hardly any in my local patch over the last two or three years - until about three weeks ago that is! Suddenly they seem to be much more in evidence. Dont know what's changed, but it is good to see them again.

 

[ikw101]

Up here they seem to be doing incredibly well. 3 years ago I was lucky to see any. Since March its been 5 or 6 almost every evening. Possibly something to do with the recent heavy crops of nuts and berries.
Just a thought the recent run of mild/warm winters could be leading to problems down your way with the Jay's supply of food rotting away.

Ian

 

[Saerwen]

Up here they seem to be doing incredibly well. 3 years ago I was lucky to see any. Since March its been 5 or 6 almost every evening. Possibly something to do with the recent heavy crops of nuts and berries.
Just a thought the recent run of mild/warm winters could be leading to problems down your way with the Jay's supply of food rotting away.

I'm further east, but still in the south and there seem to be lots of jays around, three yesterday in the oaks in a park. It's been very mild here all year but there's plenty of acorns and berries around, in fact it's been a bumper year for fruit. We've been seeing jays regularly all year, so I haven't noticed any decline in their numbers, perhaps there's a local problem with their food supply.

 

[Vectis Birder]

Plenty here.

 

[Karl J]

plenty here too, especially this last month or so

 

[Mike Feely]

Lots here too - more than last year. They are more visible in autumn though - collecting & stashing acorns.

Sooseee, what's the acorn crop like down there? If its been a poor year, it could explain it.

 

[David Bl]

From the replies so far, from all over, it certainly looks like a local thing.

I like the acorn hypothesis - but if the acorns there are good, then it would seem to be something else.

Maybe there has been a local acorn problem - the acorns are very good where I live.

But if not, then what?

David (is more intrigued by questions like this than by starting a lifetime list, or yearly list)

 

[teamsaint]

I heard one in the garden yesterday and on a recent trip to Norfolk had 2 at Titchwell and 2 at Holkham.

 

[Capercaillie71]

Loads of Jays here at the moment. There is always an upsurge of activity at this time of year with birds flying between woods and lots of calling whenever I walk in the woods. Almost never get a good view though.

 

[JRE]

Plenty around in South Devon, calling all the time where I live.
Jyothi

 

[ikw101]

From the replies so far, from all over, it certainly looks like a local thing.

I like the acorn hypothesis - but if the acorns there are good, then it would seem to be something else.

Maybe there has been a local acorn problem - the acorns are very good where I live.

But if not, then what?

David (is more intrigued by questions like this than by starting a lifetime list, or yearly list)

If its not a problem with food storage over the winter months Id put my money on the effects of competition driving them away. Whilst other birds could compete with the Jays a far likelier culprit is the Grey Squirrel. Interestingly theyre also partial to the odd fledgling as well.

 

[paulwfromtheden]

If its not a problem with food storage over the winter months Id put my money on the effects of competition driving them away. Whilst other birds could compete with the Jays a far likelier culprit is the Grey Squirrel. Interestingly theyre also partial to the odd fledgling as well.

Plenty in South London, can honestly say I have never seen sa many as this year

 

[Original PaulE]

plenty here in suffolk since bill oddie said, you see a lot of jays flying with acorns at this time of year,on autumn watch i must have seen at least three everyday it seems everytime i get in the car the jays decide to start flying across the road in front of me usually with the afore mentioned acorn in their beak