by Marcy Shortuse
Photos by Caroline Clabaugh and provided
Not too many years ago, the
presence of the Florida scrub jay
was a commonplace sight. These
bluish-gray birds, approximately the size
of a crow, are bold, bright-eyed beggars
who aren’t afraid to jump right on your
hand to grab a treat. Because of that,
going to one of the many places where
you could fi nd scrub jays was a popular
attraction in years past. Now, though, the
lands where scrub jays live have been
severely depleted – especially along the
coast – and it has become much rarer to
see one.
The Florida scrub jay is the state’s only
endemic bird, meaning it is the only bird
species that lives exclusively in Florida.
It is named for the fact that it lives
exclusively in areas where there are
large patches of scrub in sandy soil.
It was listed as a threatened state
species in 1975, and was listed as a
threatened federal species in 1987. In
the early 1990s it was estimated there
were only 4,000 breeding pairs left in
the wilds of Florida.
The Manasota Scrub Preserve was
created primarily to encourage the
resurgence of the Florida scrub jay in
this area. This parcel of protected land -
more than 150 acres in all – is located in
the Sarasota County portion of
Englewood, located at 2695 Bridge
Street, in a far corner of the Lemon Bay
Watershed.
July/August • 2020 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 77