Scrub-Jays are highlight of the day for Merritt Island visit
Roger Simmons,
I visited the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday hoping to see some Florida Scrub-Jays and some Bald Eagles. I was fortunate enough to see both, as well as some other birds – including a couple of young Wood Storks who appeared to be returning to the area for fall and winter.
But the Scrub-Jays were the highlight of the day. They are always fun to photograph.
Listed as endangered by the federal government, the Florida Scrub-Jay population has been going down as Florida’s population has been going up. The Scrub-Jays’ habitat of low-growing scrub oak in sandy soils has been diminishing to make way for new homes and businesses.
Did you know the Florida Scrub-Jay is the only bird species that lives exclusively in the Sunshine State?
That’s what AllAboutBirds.org says, though if you know anything about Scrub-Jays, that fact is probably not surprising.
Fortunately, Central Florida has some of the best remaining habitats for Scrub-Jays – including a large swath at Merritt Island.
Is one nut enough for this Florida Scrub-Jay on the Pine Flatwoods Trail on Merritt Island in September 2023?This Florida Scrub-Jay is nuts for nuts, as it tries to carry two in its mouth along Pine Flatwoods Trail on Merritt Island in September 2023.Florida Scrub-Jays, like this one at Pine Flatwoods Trail on Merritt Island in September 2023, are listed as endangered due to habitat loss.A Bald Eagle keeps an eye on what’s going on below from its perch near its nest and mate on Merritt Island in September 2023.A Bald Eagle is perched in a pine tree near its huge nest on Merritt Island in September 2023.A couple branches above its mate, this Bald Eagle tries to cool off in the midday heat at Merritt Island in September 2023.A juvenile Wood Stork returns to Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island in September 2023.This Glossy Ibis transforms its body into a heart shape while it preens along Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island in September 2023.A Little Blue Heron sits up high in a pine tree along Black Point Drive on Merritt Island in September 2023.A youngish Green Heron is perched atop a branch for a birds-eye view of Black Point Wildlife Drive in September 2023.A young Laughing Gull seems to be chastising another for not obeying the slow-speed sign at Blair’s Cove on Merritt Island in September 2023.A Red-shouldered Hawk is giving me the stink-eye while it sits in a pine tree at Blair’s Cove on Merritt Island in September 2023.An Anhinga warms up in the morning sun along Black Point Wildlife Drive in September 2023.Greater Yellowlegs, like this one at Black Point Wildlife Drive on Merritt Island in 2023, return to marshy areas for nesting after spending the summer elsewhere.
The Lake Eola swans have been iconic symbols of downtown Orlando’s central park for more than 100 years. Last weekend I went to the park to photograph the swans, which prompted me to learn more about them.
Some are returning birds, like the Palm Warbler and the Yellow-throated Warbler. Some are new, like the female Painted Bunting. And some are regulars, like the Northern Cardinal and the Blue Jay.
