They are magpie size, and their short, round wings and laborious wing flaps makes them obvious in flight. They are strikingly patterned, with a pinkish-brown body and head, blue wing patches striped with black, black tail, moustache, and wings, and white throat, rump and wing patches. Although it is not always obvious, they have a noticeable crest, that they erect when excited. The best time of the year to spot them is in the autumn, when a watch around oaks in the Western cemetery might be successful. Jays make repeated visits to oaks to collect acorns. Their calls are also quite obvious, and it pays to be alert to their screeching alarm calls. Jays are often seen in pairs or family parties. Jays can be quite bold in urban parks in London, but they are very shy birds in Hull.
Status and conservation in Hull
Although a widespread and abundant species across England, the Jay is a scarce resident in Hull. In the past, only passage migrants or small parties in September/October were reported, but sightings have become more common and are now year round. One or a few pairs appear to have become established around the Avenues, Western/General Cemetery and Jack Kaye field. The Western Cemetery is the most reliable site. They have bred in East Park, although there are no records after 2021, and one was seen for a few days at Pickering Park in November 2021. Broadleaf woodland with oaks is their preferred habitat and woodland cover is quite reduced in East Yorkshire, which limits their presence.
The Jay is Green listed, with long term stable populations in the UK, although it appears there has been a recent increase in distribution. The species might have benefited from conservation actions for woodland specialists and by planting of native woodland.
More information
BTO Birdfacts. Jay.
Broughton, Richard K. Birds of the Hull Area.
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