Saw my First Jay

[Nickynockynoonoo]

Wow, beautiful and much bigger than I thought. It sat on a branch for a couple of minutes, not long enough to get the camera out. Luckily hubby was able to get to the window to see it too.

I just may go acorn collecting next year.

[Farplace]

They are amazing birds - very colourful for covids. I havent seen one for years... They are not at all common in the Wear Valley.

[healfdan]

When I was a conservation officer we often had people reporting to the office that they had seen an escaped parrot. Apart from the odd occasion when they were right, nearly all sightings were of a Jay or Green woodpecker, both quite shy birds. The Jay can raise its crown feathers which I guess, together with its colour, led people to the conclusion that they had seen a parrot. It is a beautiful bird and despite its life style is a welcome sight in the countryside.

[Acipiter]

Shame about its call, horrible.

[mightymaiden]

Well done, see loads round this way, but they are that shy I still havent managed to get a pic of one haha.

[Stephen Raff]

A wonderful bird to see. There is a pair I see once most weeks, always brings a smile

Stephen

[Ladywell]

We have regular sightings of jays - but usually just the white rump disappearing. Two days ago, in deep snow, I was carrying water from our spring fed trough and there was a jay having a drink. Brilliant sight and beautiful bird to see close to - sadky didn'thave my camera.

[Dorts]

There was a time when nearly all country boys wore the blue feathers from a Jays wing in their hats and caps as it was just about the most colourful feather you could find. Unfortunately they were one of the birds most frequently shot by gamekeepers. Wonderfully intelligent birds; were often kept as pets by gypsies when I was a lad and could be taught to talk.
Dorts.

[actionfinch]

wait till you get one in your garden ,i had 2 one day so shocked and over the moon about them being there i forgot my camera, every time i see one now i run to get it...( the camera that is)

[CharlieCreek]

Jays are quit stunning birds I think.

We get quite a lot of them on the hills here. Earlier in the year another ranger and I were walking over the hills and looked up to see around fifteen of them including this years young in the trees above our heads. Normally they don't stay around or gather in these numbers but this time they just remained there a few feet above and around us.