The Bluejays Have To Go
By vikingswest
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
United States
June 16, 2021 5:13pm CST
They are evil. They've set up shop in my climbing roses above the 8x8 raised bed of strawberries.
They call out and swoop every time I go near the bed but up until today, they would fly onto a branch nearby and complain rather loudly.
The strawberries are ripening now and I'm beginning to think that the Jays are under the impression that the bed and the strawberries are their own personal stash.
Today, I not only got the usual fly-bys and verbal abuse, one of those jerks actually flew into me as I checked for berries.
Two of them sitting on rooftop, squawking and taking turns buzzing me.
I abandoned my task and scampered to safety.
A short while later, I was out back with the dogs and those two Jays started in again and the dogs got involved. I secretly hoped that the dogs would catch one or both but they were too fast and escaped up into the branches.
I would like these evil birds to live somewhere else.
I could go nuclear and tear down the nest and stand at the ready with a paintball gun but I don't really want them hurt bad, just shook up enough to go away.
Any ideas MyLot?
12 people like this
13 responses
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun 21
Sounds like they have babies. I wish I could take them all and put them in my backyard. They are all so protective of their babies. I had one chase one of my cats years ago. Maybe the babies will be gone soon and you will have your yard back.
2 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
16 Jun 21
It's likely babies but they've been nesting in my yard in different places over the past two decades. They have been defensive in the past but I've never been struck by one before.
I guess I'm stuck with them for a bit.
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun 21
@Vikingswest I know from experience how aggressive they are. Stay safe.
2 people like this
@kareng (54724)
• United States
8 Jul 21
@Vikingswest1 Good luck on the second crop of berries! The heat has been very bad this summer so far.
Yeah that would get annoying getting attacked!! Wonder if they will be back for the next clutch? 
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
8 Jul 21
@kareng
I'll take the fencing down so that the dogs can take the area back.
I haven't seen the Jays for a few days. I don't miss them.
2 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
8 Jul 21
They have been gone for a few days now. Had a stretch of 100° days here last week and I didn't get a chance to water like I should have and many berries were lost. I think the plants survived. I'll see soon enough as the second crop is due in a few weeks.
I didn't see the babies leave but the dogs quit trying to get through to that end of the house.
I plan to remove the nest lol
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
Hmmm. Share the berries. Blue jays need nourishment. I don't think the feathered friends are complaining. I think the loud chirping is their way of thanking you for the luscious berries.
My sparrows get to pick on my Jamaican berries and guavas and I do with the left-overs. 
My sparrows get to pick on my Jamaican berries and guavas and I do with the left-overs. 1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
19 Jun 21
@Vikingswest1 The blue jays have found a safe haven in you. You'd forever be their human.
Plant more berries. The little birds on the wing will always come back to you.
And as they say, where there are birds, the air is clean. At least you know you are breathing fresh air.
Plant more berries. The little birds on the wing will always come back to you. And as they say, where there are birds, the air is clean. At least you know you are breathing fresh air.1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
19 Jun 21
@eileenleyva
Yes. I have heard that too. The strawberry bed is just under 3 meters square and filled with plants so there's enough for everyone :)
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
19 Jun 21
I have given up until the young Jays have left the nest. I hope they enjoy the strawberries but save some for me :)
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57687)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Jun 21
I have no idea. I would say let them have some barries?
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57687)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Jun 21
@Vikingswest1 Is there a time of day when they're usually sleeping or quiet?
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
17 Jun 21
There is enough for both of us. I just need their permission to get mine.
I have a new plan now. I hope to reach an agreement with them for access to the berries.
3 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
17 Jun 21
@kaylachan
I'm hoping that at dusk I can sneak back and get some.
If that doesn't work, I have a plan for tomorrow ;)
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
19 Jun 21
Thank goodness you were able to save the eggs. Did they attack like the Jays did?
I went out at night and picked enough strawberries for pies. I concede the berry patch. After the young leave the nest, I should be allowed back lol
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
19 Jun 21
@sallypup
I like that the Jays and Robins will take the whole berry instead of nibbling here and there like the little birds do.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57888)
• Centralia, Washington
19 Jun 21
@Vikingswest1 So far magpies have not tried to attack me. Magpies and jays love meat and that means road kill as well as bird eggs. I'm glad you are getting some strawberries. I think robins like strawberries too.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
11 Jul 21
Those things are so smart. There are two up at the main house that sit in the tree near the second floor deck waiting for the dogs to be fed outside. They fly down grabbing the food. It's a wonder they can fly seeing how they are fat little things now.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
11 Jul 21
@noni1959
Once you go dog food, you always come back lol
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
11 Jul 21
I have a pair that nests in the yard every couple of years but this year they chose to forcefully take my garden area. My handful of Terriers had to be fenced off. The chicks are gone now.
Your Jays are brave and smart. I'm sure they know JUST when to be there too.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
11 Jul 21
@Vikingswest1 They do. When I go up to help do the critter feeding, I see them perched watching and waiting. Very conditioned to dog food.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86754)
• United States
17 Jul 21
I have none no ideas but Ill tell you..when I got back here to the States from England those dang blu jays were so loud to me
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
18 Jul 21
They were just protecting their young.
After a couple of weeks, they went away. You're right. They are loud little jerks.
1 person likes this
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
17 Jun 21
Make friends with them.
Seriously, they're scary smart birds. Bring a peace offering of a few whole peanuts when you need to work near the strawberries, put them a little ways away from where you are, and try to ignore them as they harass you. They might be a bit persistent since they've seen that smacking into you will get you to leave their area.
Beyond that, try to keep the dogs away from the area and just give them space if you don't need to be near where the nest is. They're just defensive of their young, and as soon as they've fledged and are somewhat independent the harassment should stop.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
17 Jun 21
I fenced off the area so the dogs can't get through now.
I have heard that crows and ravens understand exchanges but had no idea Jays were that intelligent.
I will prepare an offering and see if they are willing for me to encroach on their territory. I'm glad you posted. I just learned something new. Thank you for the advice :)
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 21
@Vikingswest1 Lets hope they don't take bits out of all the fruit and that they leave some untouched for you.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
18 Jun 21
No. Birds would get caught so I stopped using netting. The bed is 8x8 and filled with plants. I grow enough for the birds to have some, I don't mind.
These two Jays are jerks about sharing.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
18 Jun 21
@jaboUK
The Jays eat the entire berry, its the small birds that nibble.
It's ok. I concede the berries until the Jays depart. They just won't share.
I got enough for the pies after dark last night.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95190)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Jun 21
It dont take long for them to raise the babies. Then they should calm down.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
17 Jun 21
I sure hope so. I've had nesting Jays before but none this aggressive.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I've used netting before but some little birds got stuck in it one time so I don't use netting anymore. In fact, I don't care if the birds eat some. I grow more than I can use.
I just don't like being physically assaulted picking berries lol.
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
16 Jun 21
@MALUSE
Hahah SO funny you said that. I think you're onto something. I thought that too :)
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
16 Jun 21
@Vikingswest1 Put a motorcycle helmet on when you pick strawberries!
2 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
20 Jun 21
I decided that the baby Jays are more important. I can wait a couple of weeks for strawberries :)
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
17 Jun 21
I've seen them attack a cat this way when the cat came near the tree holding their nest.
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6305)
• United States
17 Jun 21
They seemed pretty serious about keeping me away. I won't let the dogs go around to that side until they're gone.
1 person likes this
