Jays

Poulgorm

Saw 2 jays in my garden just now. First time I have ever seen them - recognised them from photos. A magpie has just chased them away.

How common / rare are they? I live about 8 miles west of Cork city, in a country location.

Judgement Day

Jays are not so much rare as wary and they don't tend to come near human habitation. They are a woodland bird and quite shy. I've only seen them a handful of times in recent years - Counties Wexford and Wicklow.

Half-cocked

There was an article in ewings a while back about how they are becoming more frequent in gardens. I spotted one foor the first time in my Mums garden this year.

cuddlycavies

They are very common garden birds in England. In Ireland our Jays are a slightly distinct sub species. There was a bounty on them at Garda stations until the sixties so much of their territory was probably snatched by increasing magpies.

meathstevie

Rather common bird around my area in Meath. Easily heard, not that easily seen, in woodland and around overgrown bog area.

Alun

cuddlycavies wrote: »

There was a bounty on them at Garda stations until the sixties ....

Why, out of interest?

emo72

saw a pair in lucan demesne last week. quite a shock to see them up close. maybe they were mating/nesting and didnt seem to be as bothered about being seen. hard enough to see them, i know where they are and look out for one everyday. only seen one once before.

vandriver

You can see them at the Furry Glen in Phoenix Park.

homerhop

Alun wrote: »

Why, out of interest?

I presume it is because they were associated with raiding nests for eggs and chicks.

In the last couple of years there are quiet a few jays back in the wood beside me.

cuddlycavies

homerhop wrote: »

I presume it is because they were associated with raiding nests for eggs and chicks.

In the last couple of years there are quiet a few jays back in the wood beside me.

Yes it always puzzled me a bit. Pheasants eggs perhaps? But I saw the poster in a Garda station many years ago