None The Nature Conservancy in Florida Press Releases Search All Press Releases Jill Austin Phone: (407) 682-3664, ext. 129 E-mail: jaustin@tnc.org

Conservancy Data Reveals Decline in Florida Scrub-Jays

Volunteers organized by The Nature Conservancy survey bird populations to help protection efforts.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL—December 21, 2007—Populations of threatened Florida scrub-jays are declining, according to a Nature Conservancy study of jay populations across Central Florida. Results of a sixth-annual summer survey of Florida scrub-jays along the Lake Wales Ridge were reported recently at a volunteer recognition event at Historic Bok Sanctuary. Eighty-six volunteers, managers, and researchers gathered to discuss the protection of Florida’s only endemic bird.

The Jay Watch results were gathered from 41 sites in 11 counties by 165 volunteers donating 1,624 hours of service. Among the 15 Jay Watch sites first surveyed in 2002-2004, populations have declined at 40 percent of sites, stayed the same at 40 percent and increased at 20 percent. Two-thirds of populations declined at 26 other Jay Watch sites, some of which were also covered during the 1992-93 statewide survey.

The data also includes information on habitat and vegetation which has been shared with site managers to better inform their critical management decisions. Florida scrub-jays — small, light blue, friendly birds who mate for life and live in multigenerational families in very specific habitat — will abandon an oak scrub habitat if it is not properly managed, such as when the trees grow too large due to lack of fire.

“Management actions informed by the results are a positive outcome of the survey,” said Cheryl Millett, the Conservancy’s biologist who coordinates Jay Watch. “Unfortunately, seeing the results of management can take time. It can be five years before burned areas are suitable for scrub-jays. In the meantime, the dedication of our volunteers is inspiring.”

While the Florida scrub-jay is the only bird found only in Florida, the state’s official state bird is the mockingbird. Attempts to have that status assigned to the Florida scrub-jay have not yet been successful. To read the Conservancy’s Florida Scrub-Jay report click: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/files/jay_watch_annual_report_07.pdf

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. With funding from the voter approved Florida Forever program and our generous donors the Conservancy has helped protect more than 1.2 million acres in Florida since 1961. Visit us on the Web at nature.org/florida.