Steller’s jay space use and behavior in campground and non-campground sites within Redwood National and State Parks

Reducing corvid predation of marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) eggs and chicks near sites of human recreation has been proposed as a strategy to increase the viability of marbled murrelets nesting in California. To provide baseline information on Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) responses to campgrounds within Redwood National and State Parks, I attached radio-transmitters to adult male Steller's jays and compared space use and behavior between individuals at campground sites and non-campground sites. Home range size for jays at campground sites (16.4 ± 2.6 ha) did not differ from those at non-campground sites (15.0 ± 2.0 ha), although the distance of roost areas to campgrounds was positively associated with home range size. Additionally, home range overlap was significantly greater between adjacent individuals at campground sites (22.6%) than at non-campground sites (5.1%). During behavioral observations, proportional use of the ground, perching activity and use of anthropogenic substrates were all more frequent among individuals monitored at campground sites relative to non-campground sites. This study is the first to demonstrate that the reliability of anthropogenic food sources at recreational campgrounds directly influenced Steller's jay space use and behavior during the breeding season and emphasizes the importance of minimizing corvid exposure to supplemental food sources in marbled murrelet habitat.