Scrub Jays in the Ocala NF

[FLCracker]

The area of the Ocala National Forest known as the Big Scrub lived up to it's name today. I must have seen at least 40 of these birds in several flocks.

[Robert Strickland]

Great Find. I have been after the Scrub jay for a while now. Can you provide direction to the site?
Thanks

[FLCracker]

Take Marion County Hwy 42 through Weirsdale (don't blink) and proceed east. You'll cross the Oklawaha River and go past a country store called Buck and Doe's on your left. Keep going east for a couple of miles and watch for a sign for Bass Lake which is Forest Road 588, the signs are brown. Go left on 588, you'll pass turn-offs for Forest Roads 579 and 587 but stay on 588. There is about a 5 mile stretch of 588 leading to the Big Scrub campground. The jays are along this road about 50% of my visits, relatively early in the morning is the best time. You need to use caution out there, it's hunting season and the forest roads are all clay and with the last heavy rain there are a lot of washouts. It's also very easy to get real lost if you don't know the forest. If the jays are out it's worth all the bumping and shaking. Try this link for a visual map
www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala/maps/documents/24x32_SunCon_ocala.pdf

[Maureen]

These are great shots Ron, especially the last one. I've found scrub jays in a few places, but have never been to that area looking for them. Most of the scrub jays I've seen are banded.