Jay's

colmfitz

Hi All,

Im interested in locating and photographing Jay's in Dublin Area, i know there are some in the Phoenix Park as i have seen one once, anyone have any info as to where i might see one ?

Thanks

Half-cocked

Phoenix Pk is probably your best bet in Dublin. I've got quite close to them in Donadea Forest Pk in Kildare, but they are really hard to photograph. They tend to stay in the canopy where the light is bad.

stevensi

I see them regularly around the furry glen at Phoenix Park. You can be lucky enough to see them in groups of 5 or 6. Listen out for them that's the best method in locating a Jay.

Mabel

+1 to stevensi. You'll probably hear them before you see them if my experiences are anything to go by! For such a bright bird they are well camouflaged in their environment!

E39MSport

Half-cocked wrote: »

Phoenix Pk is probably your best bet in Dublin. I've got quite close to them in Donadea Forest Pk in Kildare, but they are really hard to photograph. They tend to stay in the canopy where the light is bad.

+1 Was just about to say the same re Donadea.

As it happens, I'm on the edge of the Black Forest at the moment and there are Loads of them here. Not shy at all either.

colmfitz

Thanks everyone for the tips, i went to the Furry Glen this evening after work and am almost positive i heard one calling, ive heard there distinctive sounds from recordings online, so im almost sure i was correct. the area seems to have a lot of beech trees which i know is there second favorite food after Acorns, but i did not see any Oak trees around.

Does anybody think that this time of year onwards would be better as they may be forced out into more open ground to feed ?

Rainbowsend

If that location is easy for you to get to, I would suggest doing
a bit of ground work by laying food for them, peanuts, hazelnuts
etc in the same location over a couple of days, I know the risk
of squirrels getting to them first is a possibility but if the food is
there then they will eventually turn up. If you can rig up a bit
of a hide out of fallen branches etc it would give you a bit more
cover as they are usually quite a timid bird.

colmfitz

Thanks Rainbowsend, thats a great idea which i will look into, looks like i have my work cut out if i want to get a good shot of this bird.

Rainbowsend

No problem, good luck and look forward to seeing some photos
soon

stevensi

There's another lake inside the park i think close to Farmleigh house where they will come down to if you throw out some nuts. I've had a group of 4 or 5 landing know more than 1 0feet from me. I don't know the name of the lake (pond) but it has an island in the middle of it...