Tomorrow we are supposed to have the first freezing temperatures and I am watering my adopted juniper, the first tree species that I fell in love with when I came to Abiquiu, because of its fantastic myriad of shapes, its tenacious ability to cling to cliff edges and because so many of these trees are allowed to live out their natural lifespans of a few hundred to a thousand years or more. Now my love and amazement for these drought resistant trees has deepened into genuine concern because this summer’s drought has turned clumps of needles brown on most of the junipers on the mesas and many appear to be dying unnaturally (very old trees do have a strange half dead look that is normal). Anyone with eyes can see how dis - stressed these trees are.
 
 Water is Life. Here in the river valley, including the Bosque there are fewer dead patches but little or no new growth on the junipers. A few days ago I took a tape measure to measure new spikes on the solitary juniper that I water, noting that most fronds had bright blue green spires measuring twelve inches or more. Although I am happy for my tree I am also frightened because it is clear that we are now living the ravages of climate change and most of the junipers around here have little or no new growth and are not doing well.
 
Western junipers are an “indicator species.” If they are showing signs of stress from lack of water then other less resilient trees are even more threatened. Not to take heed of this juniper tree warning would be a grave mistake. For me, the upside of this knowing has validated my belief that I must stay with native flowering plants and because of what the junipers are saying instead of planting fruit and other trees I am going to choose more junipers. Fortunately, there are many beautiful cultivars to choose from. My neighbor Bruce has a gorgeous blue green gray green teardrop shaped juniper that is definitely on my list. It even has a huge bird’s nest hidden within its boughs.
 
Western junipers are dimorphic, meaning that they have two growth forms. One is upright (like my tree), and the other, much more common is bush-like opening to the sun like a flower. Even the biggest trees are not taller than 40 feet. The seedlings especially bear bluish green awl shaped leaves that are pointed at the tip. Mature leaves are a darker green and scale - like in appearance. The older leaves are borne in pairs or whorls of three and are rounded at the tip. The arrangement of the adult “leaves” in a circular pattern gives the twigs and uncanny resemblance to coral. 
 
Although juniper and cedar are related – both belong to the cypress family - cedars produce small woody cones while junipers produce a bluish berry –like cone. Most junipers are dioecious, meaning that male and female cones are found on separate trees and once you observe the difference it is easy to differentiate between the two (to make things confusing some junipers have both male and female cones on one tree). The male cones are brownish in appearance and very small. These latter produce pollen sacs that release pollen grains in spring and summer, as many people that suffer from allergies know. The female cones look like berries. As the trees age some of the trunks become twisted and gnarled.
 
Junipers are one of the top ten plants for wildlife. Many birds love their berries and around here the Cedar waxwings, the Townsend solitaire, and American robins flock to the juniper cluster that shades the ground. I also see Dark Eyed juncos, Canyon towhees, and House finches scratching the ground under the tree. Collared doves, Pinion jays, Magpies, sparrows, and Western bluebirds to mention a few, gather in these trees for protection from hawk predation. And when winter winds are fierce and deadly, birds of all kinds seek protection from the bitter cold in the junipers’ thick branches.
 
To survive in dry climates, western junipers have long taproots and extensive lateral root systems that can efficiently obtain moisture where none seems to exist. They are intolerant of shade, so if you are going to plant some give them space and lots of sun.

For the past couple of weeks, streaks of blue have been diving into the trees under my bird feeder to search for dropped seed. First one, and now about four raucous scrub jays are conversing and mimicking – they have such an amazing vocabulary if you listen. My dove Lily b has had a special relationship with some blue jays in Maine and I note that he is continuing this trend here in Abiquiu moving to the window nearest to the jays to coo in response to some of their calls. Strangely, the jays definitely respond to these coos. How I wish I knew why this relationship exists between the two and what keeps the conversation so riveting that Lily b is still actively seeking out these birds out after 27 ( almost 28) years!
 
In Maine, all my raucous blue - jays disappear for the summer. The literature says they move into the forest but I live in a forest, or did, and they don’t stay in there! Every September they return in flocks of up to twenty birds to raid my feeders and this is what the scrub jays are doing here. They are also starting to converse in the Bosque.
 
Jays are members of the Corvid family and I have witnessed blue jays using tools – sticks, in particular, to move a large piece of fat to a place where they can get at it more easily.
 
This morning I was watching the scrub jays through binoculars. There was one youngster amongst the pack. My birdfeeder trips, shutting its doors when a squirrel or really large bird lands on it, and the jays fit into this latter category. I was so inspired by their behavior that I wrote this article!
 
 They aren’t satisfied with dropped seed and have figured out that if one trips the feeder and instantly jumps off some seed is scattered on the ground for the others to feast upon. The jays take turns tripping the feeder so everyone gets extra food.
 
They also use another more acrobatic technique. By hanging upside down on a nearby branch and stretching out their necks, the jays can reach the food with their beaks without actually touching the feeder! I watched one gobble down a host of seeds before ending his contortionist act. The youngster sat on a branch watching the others before dropping to the ground to feed. At some point I am sure that he will imitate his elders. Clever birds! I am impressed.
 
The Western Scrub –Jay’s range extends from Washington south to central Texas and Mexico. Not surprisingly the food-caching behavior of these intelligent birds has been the subject of several studies. These birds plan ahead for times when food isn't readily available. Scrub Jays bury excess seeds and nuts beneath leaves, grass or mulch; and will retrieve them when food sources in their environment are scarce.
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They may also hoard and bury brightly colored objects found in their environment like other Corvids.

According to research, their brain-to-body mass ratio rivals that of chimpanzees, whales and dolphins.

So much for the “bird brain” theory.

Jays like other birds and animals mourn the loss of mates and flock members. They will loudly screech near a dead jay for as long as 30 minutes and remain close to the body for a day or two (I have also witnessed this behavior when Lily b lost all three of his mates with one difference, unlike the jays Lily b mourned in terrible silence).

 Mule deer have been observed allowing scrub jays to hop over their bodies and heads as they search and feed on parasites like ticks. The deer appeared to facilitate the process by standing still and holding up their ears to provide easy access for the jay.

 Scrub-Jays usually forage in pairs, family groups, or very small flocks outside the breeding season. They forage on the ground and in trees, caching much of the food they find and retrieving it later.

These birds are also omnivorous, with a diet that varies by season and region. In summer, they eat many insects, spiders, and snails, and in winter, they shift to berries, acorns, and other seeds. They eat rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and the eggs and young of other bird species in addition to visiting birdfeeders and devouring hunks of fat during the cooler months.
Western Scrub-Jays are typically monogamous, and nest in shrubs or low trees. Both members of the pair help build the nest, which is a thick-walled cup made of grass, twigs, and moss, lined with soft rootlets and hair. The male brings food while the female incubates 3-6 eggs for 15-17 days. Both adults help feed the young, which leave the nest at 18-19 days. They typically raise one brood each year.

Curiously I couldn’t find any information on where scrub jays disappear to in the summer. Perhaps they are still around but (uncharacteristically) secretive while breeding/raising their families?

If you want entertainment just spend some time at the window watching the scrub –jays. I promise that you will not be disappointed!

Image (c) Keith Bowers