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California Scrub-Jays are large songbirds that are casually identified by non-birders as "Blue Jays," the common jay of the East. Thirty years ago there was one North American species called "Scrub Jay," but these birds have since been split into the Island Scrub-Jay of Santa Cruz Island, the Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay of the interior West, the Florida Scrub-Jay of the central part of that state, and the California Scrub- Jay, which ranges from southern British Columbia to Baja California. California Scrub-Jays are common in open habitats, oak woodlands, chaparral backyards, pastures, and orchards. They eat mostly insects and fruit during spring and summer and switch to nuts and seeds during fall and winter, especially acorns. They also eat small animals such as lizards and nestling birds, sometimes shadowing adult birds to find their nests. California Scrub-Jays are great to watch because they're animated, vocal, and playful. Although California Scrub-Jays are common in our area, they just don't seem to venture into Four Seasons. Yet. It took a visit to Helene Leonard's house, where several of the birds romped in the chaparral just outside the Four Seasons fence line, to spot one. ~ Steve Edelman Birding CLUB Bird of the Month FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2018 59 We welcome beginning and experienced birders to start or hone bird identification skills. Our main activity is a monthly bird walk along Four Seasons' beautiful nature trails, which follow native riparian woodlands. We also take field trips to local birding spots, discuss backyard bird feeding, and share information on unusual species and behaviors. Our May 5 bird walk was special. It was the first month we invited local birders from outside Four Seasons. They were fun, knowledgeable, and very impressed by the quality of our riparian habitat. We also saw numerous Black-headed Grosbeaks, which was the June 2017 Bird of the Month. A migrating wave of these large colorful finches arrived at Four Seasons on May 1 and were reported by numerous people daily through May 5, when we saw about 10 birds. Last but not least, for the second half of our bird walk, we caravanned to Helene Leonard's house, where we were treated to the best bird- feeding station at Four Seasons, good views of chaparral habitat, and a real continental breakfast! We identified 21 species, including great looks at the elusive Least Bell's Vireo and Four Seasons' first record of California Scrub-Jay, which is our Bird of the Month. We meet on the first Saturday of each month at 8 am in the RCN Lobby, talk about birding, then we go on our bird walk directly from the Lodge. Bring your binoculars or just come to a meeting and ask about birding gear. Sometimes our schedule changes, so before coming to a meeting and to receive club communications, email Steve Edelman at steve.h.edelman@gmail.com. ~ Steve Edelman The California Scrub-Jay Photo by Gil Eckrich/Audubon Photography Awards

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