The Florida Scrub-Jay is the state’s only endemic bird species, found nowhere else in the world. Federally Threatened under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Act in 1987, the state’s population of Florida Scrub-Jays is estimated to have declined by 90% since the early 1800s. These declines are largely due to the loss of native scrub habitat to development, agriculture, and decades of fire exclusion that allowed the scrub to become overgrown and unsuitable for scrub-Jays.
The 2022 Jay Watch Report is now available. Published annually by Audubon Florida, the Report showcases the work of the Jay Watch program, a network of volunteers and staff dedicated to the conservation of the Florida Scrub-Jay, the state’s only endemic bird species. Remarkably, in 2022 alone, 97 volunteers invested over 985 hours performing field surveys across the state. They monitored 246 family groups, 173 juvenile jays, and 585 adult jays.
Report highlights include: How community science is saving the Florida Scrub-Jay, the importance of photography as a tool for conservation and education, a recap of the Jay Watch appreciation event held last fall at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and a creative fundraising idea from one of the Audubon chapters.
Declining numbers argue that more needs to be done to keep Florida Scrub-Jays flying, and Jay Watchers play a vital role in the conservation of these iconic birds. Not only do Jay Watchers contribute data to inform management decisions that benefit scrub jays, but Jay Watch provides support and resources for individuals and communities to advocate for land use and habitat management policies and decisions that benefit their local populations of jays.
Jay Watch is a statewide community science program that trains and supports a team of nearly 100 volunteers who conduct scientific surveys that measure annual nesting success and count the total number of Florida Scrub-Jays at more than 45 sites in 19 counties.
Audubon Florida protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1900, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at fl.audubon.org.
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