Scrub Jay Hike at Lyonia Preserve in Deltona

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/f/2/event_174079442.jpeg

We will walk the middle trail shown below. It will not wear you out so don't worry.

Pictured is Dona from the OARS meetup group. I love this picture and hope she doesn't mind my using it. I first learned of the Scrub Jay Preserve through Dona.

http://lyoniapreserve.com/

The delightful Florida Scrub Jay is found only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem found only in central Florida. It is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought and frequent wildfires. An inquisitive and intelligent species, the most striking attribute of the Florida Scrub Jay's behavior is its remarkable tameness. They will land right on you to investigate. Lyonia Preserve is a 360-acre project in Volusia County to restore and maintain scrub habitat.

Since 1994, restoration efforts have removed overgrown sand pines and opened up the understory, creating the characteristic bare sand areas with low-growing vegetation preferred by scrub species. There are several trails to hike and some are not very long so we can do those if anyone of us cannot walk too far. You will be delighted to see the Scrub Jays come out and land on our heads/shoulders/hands. Make sure you wear appropriate walking shoes as we will be walking in sand. After you park go to the far right side of the main building. We'll meet at the trailhead. I will send everyone my cell phone number the closer to the time of the event. The hike is free, there are snacks and refreshments available at the complex, in fact there is a Bagel King located there.

If you are afraid of birds landing on you, you might not want to go. Below is the map of the trail. We will walk the middle trail.

http://lyoniapreserve.com/

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/2/1/4/event_174081012.jpeg