Hi, there! I know you! Thank you for recommending this forum - it's great!! There is a scrub jay habitat on Merritt Island's NWR. On the main road you go towards the national seashore entrance, and stop at the guardhouse where you pay your fee. The scrub habitat is right there on both sides of the road. Continue only a couple feet beyond the entrance and pull into the paved area on the left. Turn your vehicle's engine off and wait. The jays are very curious and will come to you. They like to perch in the two large trees there. They are also on the opposite side of the road where there is a pullover just before the guardhouse on the right. We always see several jays when we go there. There is also a scrub jay trail - ask the ranger at the guardhouse.
Just there last weekend. BioLab Road is washed out from Hurricane Matthew and closed indefinitely. Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Peacock's Pocket and Gator Creek are open. We saw clusters of glossy ibis, white ibis and reddish egrets. There were some grebes and a small moorhen group. We saw no waterfowl. There were three spoonbills flying southward over the drive but we did not see them again. Ospreys were plentiful on the poles and kingfishers on the wires. We didn't have a lot of time so we did not venture to the scrub jay habitat.
Thank you for sharing! We are leaving tomorrow for Wyoming and the East entrance to the park, staying in Cody. I hope we see lots of wildlife!!
We just did Warriors on the Water at our state park for veterans and their families as a thank you, but I can see how it could be done as a fundraiser. Kayaks are brought in and kayak tours, nature walks and talks and programs, t-shirts (sponsored), and a free luncheon. Sponsors can help with the expenses and doorprizes and drawings can be done. Check with Evelyn or Wren at Savannas Preserve State Park in St. Lucie County, FL. Something like this could be your kick-off for whatever major effort you decide to do.
You are exactly right about filling in with more life lessons as a grandparent. We do that with our one and only, a grandson, who is now almost 12. It is very rewarding and he is quite close to us. His parents are very busy, and he himself is a gifted student who works very hard in school, boy scouts and music lessons. We are his village. You are to be commended!
I always use manual exposure for wildlife, especially birds.
Thank you all very much. This gives me a great starting point! I will definitely research your suggestions.