When we drove up to the house today, Ruth called out, “There’s a Steller’s Jay in the wisteria! Ooooo, there’s another one!” My first thought was “Uh-oh!” After all, ’tis Spring and a young jay’s mind turns to nests and eggs. We haven’t had good luck with Jays nesting in our porch before — or any bird nesting in our porch before. But, Steller’s Jays in particular struggle with nesting around our house. And, yes, there were two Steller’s Jays looking most intently at our porch.
While I was taking the below picture of their nest, one of them flew in with a stick, saw me at the last second, and did a dramatic arial maneuver before landing across the street and squawking at me!
The other one sat in my cherry tree and gave me the stink eye.
While I wish these beautiful, raucous birds the best of luck in their family building plans, I kind of hope they decide our porch is too busy and choose somewhere else to build. The first summer we were in the house, someone built a nest in our porch. I heard chicks peeping one day and then nothing. I’m sure some rodent — squirrel or rat got them. It’s just not a safe place plus we are in and out all the time. Steller’s Jays are certainly brassy and bold but I’d imagine they’d find our activity level annoying.
I’ll keep you posted.
mother. wife. friend. teacher. writer. reader. photographer. birder. quilter. blogger.
Liza Lee Miller 
Oh, what gorgeous birds! I can’t imagine having one nest on the porch, but you never know! Just look at all those sticks! Keep us posted. :c)
Those are some cool birds Liza! I hope they end up nesting there!
They are pretty. But I can remember a year when we were dive bombed by jays every time we tried to go from house to car or back.
That does look a bit close to the house for a family of Steller’s jays. They are a loud and raucous bunch. Still, if the babies would actually thrive and survive, it would be very cool to watch.
Yes. I was woken up by a very loud Jay call this morning. They are loud birds. I’d love it if they would nest there but wonder if we’ll have to use our side door for a few weeks if they do. 🙂
Wow… what color. That blue is amazing. We had one that lived in a tree in our apartment complex at Seminary. OH! What a chatterbox. And it wasn’t shy, either.
But…they’re so pretty…. But I understand about the haughtiness of jays. Keep slamming the door and maybe they’ll get fed up with you and leave. But…they’re so pretty! LOL!
I’m impressed with young Ruth. She knows her birds :o)
Poor Ruthie doesn’t stand a chance. Her preschool teacher insisted the kids use the right names for local birds so it started early. But they are very common here and so much bluer than the other option (Western Scrub Jay) that it’s an easy ID around here. The nest is bigger today but I never saw the birds.
Hmmmm…are pigeons guards in your future?
Or you could just let ’em try. Goofy birds…don’t they know a good nest site from a bad one????
Jeesh – they look so exotic to me – I would love to have them nest in my porch!
😉
They are beautiful but if they are as loud as the Jay’s we get here then yuck.
Perhaps they will move on.