Jays

[Carol ann]

Last year we had a family of Jays nesting behind our house, I was wondering if anyone could tell me when do they usually return to nest again.
We are hoping they might nest in the copse again.

[htcdude]

Most will probably begin late Feb\early March, although like Magpies some might have started already

Nige

[Dogghound]

Still a little early for Jays, which tend to be later breeders than magpies. Nest building usually goes on through March and April sometimes as late as May. These birds have quite a protracted egg laying season with some laying in early April others not until June. They may not use the same site as they did the previous season, so you will have to keep an ear open and wait and see if they come back. Although they are unlikely to be to far away as they tend to be quite sedentary in Britain. If it was a small copse they may have moved to a larger area of woodland after breeding, for the autumn and winter, there is likely to be more food there.

[Carol ann]

Thanks for the info, really hoping they return.