Jays

johnsparkexile

Saw a pair of Jays in the Slieverue area of South Kilkenny this morning, only the 2nd time I've

ever seen Jays,1st was a number of years ago in Kennedy Park. How rare or not are they?

OpenYourEyes

They're not particularly rare, but that being said they aren't seen too much because they spend most of their time in woodland etc. I've only seen them a handful of times, and a lot of those were fleeting glimpses before they disappeared into dense woodland.

See the information and distribution map on Birdwatch Ireland's site here: http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/IrelandsBirds/Crows/Jay/tabid/1052/Default.aspx

Capercaillie

Jays on Continent don't seem to be as shy as Irish jays. Don't know reason why. Irish Jays are a different sub-species so that might have something to to with it.

Jayzesake

In Ireland we unfortunately have relatively few woodland specialist bird species compared to the U.K., and even less compared to continental Europe. It may be that we lost several in historic times due to the clearance of woodland, and that others never arrived here at all in this interglacial period.

But Jays are one of those few that we do have.

One of the things I love most about them is that they bury caches of acorns in multiple locations in the autumn as a food source. If something happens to prevent the birds from returning, the acorns may germinate, thereby spreading the trees. A nice symbiotic relationship.

OpenYourEyes

Jayzesake wrote: »

One of the things I love most about them is that they bury caches of acorns in multiple locations in the autumn as a food source. If something happens to prevent the birds from returning, the acorns may germinate, thereby spreading the trees. A nice symbiotic relationship.

On that topic: http://www.ceeweb.org/work-areas/priority-areas/ecosystem-services/jays-plant-oaks/

Swedish scientists evaluated the oak tree planting service that Eurasian Jays Garrulus glandarius famously perform. Using the replacement cost (RC) valuation method, they found that a pair of jays in the Stockholm National Urban Park performed the work worth between $4,900 and $22,500, depending on the replacement seeding or planting technique. For the Stockholm National Urban Park, replacing jays in their planting activities would thus cost between $2,100 and $9,400 per hectare!

Jayzesake

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

They're not particularly rare, but that being said they aren't seen too much because they spend most of their time in woodland etc. I've only seen them a handful of times, and a lot of those were fleeting glimpses before they disappeared into dense woodland.

You'll hear their characteristic and very raucous screech much more often than see them. As OYE says, they're pretty secretive.

Desmo

I lived in Germany and England and you would see Jays in gardens regularly. In Ireland, up to a few years ago, I had only ever seen them once (Phoenix park near US ambassador's residence in early 1970s; still most reliable place in Dublin to see them). Now I see them a few times a year but they are very secretive. Now that I know the call (screech as jayzesake described it), they are easier to find. One explanation I have for their secrecy here is that they had a bounty on their heads; they were worth money; I think for the decorative wing feathers.

Alun

They were one of the many prized birds used for their feathers for ladies' hats in Victorian times. It got really out of hand at one time with whole stuffed birds sometimes being used, which was one of the main drivers behind the forming of The Plumage League, which eventually became the RSPB.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Alun wrote: »

They were one of the many prized birds used for their feathers for ladies' hats in Victorian times. It got really out of hand at one time with whole stuffed birds sometimes being used, which was one of the main drivers behind the forming of The Plumage League, which eventually became the RSPB.

Just to be pedantic, The Plumage League was expressly to stop the use of Great Crested Grebe and Kittiwake feathers.

Jayzesake

Very interesting bit of history there. Thanks.

gzoladz

I saw one and heard and heard many in Phoenix park last week during a combined Phoenix Park / BWI outing.

whattodo1

I seen and heard one in Wicklow during the week first time seeing one there beautiful birds though there sound isn't half as nice.

fryup

seen a pair in the garden last year, colourful exotic looking bird

Squidvicious

johnsparkexile wrote: »

Saw a pair of Jays in the Slieverue area of South Kilkenny this morning, only the 2nd time I've

ever seen Jays,1st was a number of years ago in Kennedy Park. How rare or not are they?

Hope nobody minds me resurrecting a dead thread!

I'm not a million miles away from you, Johnparkexile. I saw Jays near me for the first time about 3 years ago. It's possible that we're seeing the same Jays! I'm in a rural location and I now occasionally see them in my garden (which is bounded by mature trees, including some oaks). They do seem to be increasing in number nationally.

johnsparkexile

Unfortunately haven't seen them since, maybe their nesting or just good at hiding.

mountainy man

I have had up to six Jays in my garden each morning clearing up under the bird table, its a very rural area with lots of spruce/lodgepole pine plantations and bog. I have become very fond of these guys but can only observe through the window or they are off screeching to the trees. Lots of Cuckoos around here too even calling through the night.

Squidvicious

johnsparkexile wrote: »

Unfortunately haven't seen them since, maybe their nesting or just good at hiding.

I generally see them during the winter half of the year so hopefully you'll see them again next autumn at least. I expect that part of the reason for this is that they become harder to see once leaves come on the trees.

I envy you your cuckoos, mountainy man! I heard a cuckoo here about three weeks ago and that was the first I remember hearing one here for at least 20 years. They used to be regular visitors until the 80's. I haven't heard one since last month so I expect he was in transit and didn't stay in the area.

Amalgam

mountainy man wrote: »

Lots of Cuckoos around here too even calling through the night.

I told someone I had heard a Cuckoo in South County Dublin, a week or two back and was told it is, 'too early', is there a seasonal window for the call of the Cuckoo..? Just for breeding?

Tiercel Dave

The cuckoo comes in April
He sings his song in May
In the month of June he changes tune
And in July he flies away!