Jays

Jays love acorns and this often leads to some quite close observation of this relatively shy, colourful member of the crow family.

I have seen and heard a jay in the oak tree that over hangs our garden on and off for the last couple of weeks.

Today however there a great commotion as three jays chased each other back and forth from the tree to the garage roof.

No need to fight over the acorns as there are more than enough to go around - even for the wood pigeons that also visit the tree.

Eventually there was only one left.

Jays frequently bury acorns and dig them up later.I have noticed small holes in our front lawn and had previously blamed squirrels, but this may have been caused by jays retrieving their stash of acorns.

Jays have a rather bad reputation as like other members of the crow family they will also feed on the nestlings of other birds