The goal of the Florida Scrub-Jay SharePoint Site is to facilitate information exchange among partners interested in the conservation of the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens).
Questions about this site? Contact Craig Faulhaber (352) 732-1225
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NEW POSTINGS!
Meeting minutes and presentations from the October 30, 2012, meeting of the Southeast Florida Scrub Working Group are now available in the Scrub Working Groups folder.
Meeting minutes and presentations from the September 2012 meeting of the Southwest Florida Scrub Working Group are available in the Scrub Working Groups folder.
The results of a recent survey examining challenges to management that benefits scrub-jays can be found in the Shared Documents folder.
Archbold Biological Station's report on the statewide status of scrub-jays on managed conservation lands is now available on the Shared Documents page!
The USFWS/FWC Florida Scrub-Jay Translocation Guidelines are available on the Shared Documents page.
The scrub-jay page on FWC's website has changed to www.myfwc.com/scrub-jay.
Updated instructions for applying for banding permits are available here. Please note that a state permit is no longer required for banding scrub-jays. USFWS and USGS permits are still required.
Looking for ways to get the public to report scrub-jay sightings? Palm Beach & Martin counties used a "Have you seen this bird" flyer, and Lake County used a website. Click here for a handout for tips to tell scrub-jays and blue jays apart.
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HOT TOPICS
Restoring scrub habitat
Interested in ideas for restoring sandy openings or in avoiding extensive, all black burns that can harm scrub-jay populations? Check out the summary from a Scrubby Flatwoods/Coastal Scrub Workshop from November 2011 in the Shared Documents folder.
Interested in learning more about mechanical treatments? Check out these presentations from the Southwest Florida Scrub Working Group, this report from Archbold Biological Station, this publication from Eric Menges and Doria Gordon, and the "Scrub Management Guidelines for Peninsular Florida: Using the Florida Scrub-Jay as an Umbrella Species." You can also view videos from a demonstration at the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group meeting. Also, FWC produced a position statement on the use of hardwood control to restore fire-adapted natural communities like scrub.
Jay Watch
Jay Watch is a citizen science monitoring program that uses volunteers to survey Florida scrub-jays and their habitat. For more information, please contact Marianne Korosy of Audubon of Florida at (727) 742-1683. Thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and agency staff that contributed to this year's surveys.
Statewide status of scrub-jays
Archbold Biological Station's report on the status of scrub-jays on managed conservation lands is now available on the Shared Documents page. The report provides updated scrub-jay population numbers for conservation lands throughout the state and examines trends in scrub-jay populations since the 1992-1993 statewide survey.
Outreach and education
In September 2012, the Southwest Florida Scrub Working Group held a workshop on outreach for prescribed fire in the wildland-urban interface. More information is available in the Scrub Working Groups folder.
The language we use to describe land management is important. Click here for information on words and messages that resonate with the public.
Private lands conservation
Do you know any private landowners interested in scrub management? Check out the programs available for private lands in these presentations. You can find links to even more opportunities here.
Want to learn more about conservation banking? Check out this article about conservation banking in Florida, and read this primer on the subject. You can also click this link to learn about the new scrub conservation bank in Highlands County.
You can contact FWC's private lands biologists by visiting this website.
Disease and scrub-jays
A fact sheet regarding scrub-jays and avian diseases can be found here. Information on Archbold Biological Station's efforts to study avian diseases is available here. If you are permitted to band scrub-jays, you can find recommendations for preventing the spread of avian pox by following this link.
Ever wonder what conditions are needed for scrub to burn?
Steve Morrison of TNC has some ideas here.
You can help Steve expand on this study! If you have conducted prescribed burns in scrub, please visit this link for more information on how you can help.
Burned, burning and unburned scrub at Gould
Road, Lake Wales Ridge – For more photos with
information about management and machinery , go to:
Management Photos
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VIDEOS & AUDIO
Mechanical treatment demonstration
Check out these videos of a mechanical treatment demonstration from the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group meeting.
Learn from prescribed fire experts...
...with these interesting videos from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center.
Ever heard the scrub-jay whisper song?
Check out this video.
Scrub-jay calls
Check out these audio clips of jay calls.
