Events at Oscar Scherer State Park
Scrub-jay Festival
Saturday March 21, 2026
10:00am to 3:00pm – Lake Osprey/Nature Center area
Park entry fees apply – $5 for a vehicle up to 8 people. Festival is included with park entrance fee.
The Florida Scrub-jay Festival will feature guest speakers, guided walks, games, food, and more. Have some fun while you learn about conservation efforts for the Florida Scrub-jay!
- Guided Hikes
- Food Trucks
- Games
- Kids Activities
- Exhibitors
- Live Music – Karaoke
Florida Scrub-jay
The Florida Scrub-jay is the only bird species unique to Florida and they DO NOT migrate.
The Florida Scrub-jay populations have declined by as much as 90% over the past century, so preservation of existing populations is of paramount importance.
Our effort, with your support, is critical to the conservation of Scrub-jays and their survival on the west coast of Florida.
Scrub-jays mate for life and raise their young in cooperative family groups consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. An adult is about 10-12 inches long with blue and gray colored feathers. They primarily eat insects and acorns, but also consume plants and small animals such as frogs, toads, lizards, snakes and even mice.
Florida Scrub-jays are entirely dependent on oak scrub communities – low-growing oak shrubs – such as found in Oscar Scherer State Park. Therefore management of the OSSP scrubby flatwoods is critical to the survival of Scrub-jays.
Come learn about this unique bird that can be found only in the state of Florida! Oscar Scherer State Park is home for a small population of this fascinating and friendly bird.