NPSpecies

Present year-round (Witt 1997).

Native to Maine (Palmer 1949) and North America (Long 1981).

Very rare resident (Witt 1997).

Park Species Detail: Long (1987): Present along the Wonderland trail; very rare but established resident on MDI; adults and young observed near Bass Harbor Marsh in the 1960's; adults with young were observed near Wonderland and Town Hill in June and July 1980. Russell (1984?) rare resident, uncommon in winter; The spruce forests at the upper end of the Bass Harbor Marsh are the only place where the species has been seen regularly. Between 1963 and 1966, adults with attendent young were seen in this area, and adults at least have been seen subsequent to that date. Young were also seen in Salisbury Cove in 1969. The wet boggy areas north of Oak Hill Road support one or more pairs. Duley and North (1984) observed at Jordan Cliffs between May and September 1984. Favour (1970): observed during the MDI CBC on 31 December 1965; This is no doubt the biggest Gray Jay flight year for our area in decades. Bond (1969) occurs in summer in the swampy coniferous woodland near Bass Harbor Marsh where it has bred 1963-1966; more widespread (but rare) from fall to spring. Palmer (1949) Seen on 27 November 1936 on MDI; the report of occurrence in June 1939 on MDI (in Tyson and Bond 1941: 65) is of questionable accuracy (Bond). Bond (1949): This bird has decreased greatly in numbers during the past 100 years. Species no longer nests on MDI. Bond (19??) casual, only 2 records (one on 24 June 1899). Tyson and Bond (1941): Accidental visitant to MDI, may once have nested on MDI; (see observation), also adult seen at close range in early June 1939 at Long Pond. Sullivan (1937) Immature seen by F.H. Allen near Sand Beach, Ocean Drive on 24 June 1899. Eliot (1916): Scarce in summer; an immature bird was recorded by F.H. Allen on 24 June 1899 on MDI. Allen (1899): "an immature bird seen by F.H. Allen near Sand Beach, Ocean Drive, June 24, 1899.", Park Species Data Source: Witt (1997); Long (1987); Russell (1984?); Duley and North (1984); Bond (1969); Tyson and Bond (1941); Sullivan (1937); Allen (1899)