Forum home Wildlife gardening
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Jays

2»

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I like the fact that jays "cache" acorns, one of their favourite foods, by hiding them in the soil.  Someone who observed this behaviour noted that the acorns were "planted" the ideal distance apart for growing into a mature oak tree, should the jay forget where he'd stashed them...
    I've not seen a jay in Ireland yet, though they're apparently to be found in deciduous woodland around here.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    We see jays in the garden fairly often including this one today.


    I wish they weren't so forgetful about stashed acorns though, I pull out dozens of oak seedlings every year.


  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I've got a small oak in a pot that came from a jay stashed acorn. Now a hazel has grown up in with it which I assume was from a nut stashed in the pot by a nuthatch.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • I have jays in my garden each year. Gorgeous colouring. They visit the feeders early in the morning, stuff their beaks with fat ball food, take it away to stash before returning, several times to repeat the exercise. The small birds wait until they have gone before moving in. I have fitted a squirrel baffle on the upright post of my feeder to deter rats which were clearing the feeder every day. It has been very successful. I did have a laugh watching a persistent rat trying to find a way around it, without success. Well worth the £15.00 spent.
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    Just seen and heard 4 of them fighting in a nearby tree
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    "I like the fact that jays "cache" acorns, one of their favourite foods, by hiding them in the soil.  Someone who observed this behaviour noted that the acorns were "planted" the ideal distance apart for growing into a mature oak tree, should the jay forget where he'd stashed them".

    @Liriodendron Ted Green  has written extensively about it.

    @steephill Jays in particular are responsible for much of the oaks' reproduction systems in the UK. Jays choose acorns to stash at a particular point of softness, that is viable when planted. Squirrels, for example, prefer acorns at a different stage and they don't germinate so well. Acorns buried in thorny scrub are then protected from grazing animals and we get a new oak tree.

    Maybe pot up your saplings and pass them on....
Sign In or Register to comment.