Blue Jay Update

From time to time we experience the visits of those delightful Blue Jays.  They're not apparently regular visits but they are intense when engaged in raiding feeders.  This joker we see now (if only one!) is a fan of both sunflower seed and suet and hence is a one-bird perfect storm.  I can put up with some of these shenanigans for a time but I am getting weary of seeing blue to the exclusion of others.  The feeders will soon be empty with encouragement for the Jay menace to find some other food bag.  Then I may get some peace for a few weeks!  Enough!

Jays Not a Big Problem

Many homeowner bird feeders complain about Blue Jays.  It seems these birds become quite the nuisance at many feeders.  In our case, Blue Jays are a periodic issue at most.  And not even that.  I do not see jays all that often and it is always a surprise: that is, the jays just don't seem to be a significant presence at any time.  I have spotted at least one Blue Jay lately but don't expect this visitation to really last all that long.  Why are we so fortunate?  Great mystery: some day I will solve it

Blue Jay Returns

It seems our old friend the Blue Jay is back in town.  Or at least the back yard.  I stumbled across one yesterday when tending the bird bath and while it flew off, I know it will be back.  Perhaps regularly.  The jays don't visit the feeders all that regularly and sometimes go very long periods of time between sightings.  I have no idea how I escape the carnage reported by other bird feeders in the area.  They do seem to enjoy the suet that is out there all year but they clearly must get even better eats elsewhere.  No matter.  Jays don't bother me much and I give the ones I see wide latitude.  Heck, they're fun to watch.  We shall see what happens this time.

Okay Jay

Now and then during the year, we see Blue Jays.  Mostly in Spring.  Never Many.  The one roaming about now doesn't seem to be causing any stir.  I wouldn't be surprised if this one is an unattached male hoping for a little provender in a tough time.  And if so, that's fine by me.  The Jays don't ever seem to be too aggressive here, too greedy, nor too particular.  (In contrast to the grackles on every count!)  And like the usual experience this jay may not be seen much for the bulk of the summer.  As Jays go, that's okay.  Have fun, my blue friend.

Occasional Raider

There are suburban properties that are dominated by Blue Jays, or at least constantly subject to their visits, whether aggressive or not.  This is not one of them.  Blue Jays do come here and pick from the suet feeders.  But they're surprisingly infrequent in their custom.  And like the Red Wing Blackbirds and Common Grackles, just occasional raiders of whatever is there to be had.  At that level of visitation I can't even get worked up at the sight of these birds, and even welcome their appearance.  And can you blame me? what a marvelously handsome bird is the Jay!  

Big and Bad

I have noted recently that the suet feeders are under heavy assault by some of the baddest dudes in the neighborhood: grackles and catbirds.  And they're being aided by a family group of especially hungry Red Bellied Woodpeckers.  But it looks like the rumble is being joined by another bad character.  I've been seeing this Blue Jay (or at least one jay) in recent days.  Evidently word has gotten around that there is quality suet being served here.  Well, as we have said we generally tolerate the "trash" birds and have had decent relations with the grackles for two years.  I'm hoping Mr./Ms. Blue Jay continues the good manners.  But here's the thing: suet might get cut off in June!  We shall see...

Another Suet-Minded Flyby

The current rush-to-suet has attracted a fair number of species.  We've seen the regulars (Downys, wrens, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, etc.) and some of our winter visitors (Yellow Rumped Warblers, Hermit Thrush, etc.) And I expect to see some less-than-regulars, too.  And here's one we don't see very often.  Blue Jays are common birds in these parts and I hear them in the neighborhood regularly.  However, I don't get them at the feeders except on rare occasions. They behave, more or less, so I won't begrudge a snack or two.  Will this one be a quick snack? or a regular stop?