Blue Jay Flyer December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

Blue Jay Pointers

Blue Jay Point will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year's Day

Wildlife Sighting

If you've been out to the park recently, you may have noticed this red-tailed hawk hanging around. This particular individual seems very comfortable around humans, making us think it may have been improperly raised by someone and then released into the wild.

Red-tailed hawks are native to the area, but they usually keep more distance from people.

Staff are keeping an eye out for the hawk to make sure it doesn't put itself in danger by getting too close to cars. If you see the hawk and have any concerns, please call our office at

(919) 870-4330.

Otherwise, enjoy getting to see this beautiful animal! Please remember to keep a safe distance, even though the hawk might let you get close. Use the "rule of thumb": If you can hold up your thumb to your eye and cover the hawk, you're a good distance away!

Heads up it's that time of year that the Education Center exterior water fountain will be intermittently off for winter. Interior water fountains remain on and available. Water fountaints at the playground will remain on unless daytime temps are well below freezing.

Please plan for your and your pets accordaningly!

Go Ape is extending it's season to run thru January 2nd. So swing on by and check it out over the holidays with family and friends here!

While visiting Blue Jay Point, please comply with guidelines set forth by the state:

Measures to limit the number of people allowed in the park at one time remain in place. If a gate is closed or cones are blocking the entrance, that means the park has reached capacity.

The following restrictions will remain in place:

Park programs will be held outdoors with limited participant capacity to allow social distancing and additional safety measures.
The Overnight Lodge remains closed for use but you may make reservations for future use.

Please check our website for an up-to-date status of park services as we work through the phases of the COVID-19 reopening plan.

Family Wildlife Series:

Holiday Habitat Helpers

Saturday, December 4, 2-3pm

You can attract winter wildlife to your backyard by providing or improving their habitat. We’ll check out Blue Jay’s Garden Area for some ideas before creating several simple habitat helpers you can add to your own yard.

Family Wildlife Series:

Green and on the Scene

Wednesday, December 29, 11am-12pm

Do you think wintertime means everything is dried up, dull and dreary? Think again! Join Blue Jay’s staff for an outdoor adventure hunting winter plants and trees that are green and on the scene. All participants must be independently mobile or in child backpacks. No strollers please!

Family Wildlife Series (FWS) programs are open to all ages, although information and activities are most appropriate for ages 5yr. and up.

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Nature Peekers: Forest Tracks

Tuesday, December 7, 10-10:30am

Have you ever left a wet footprint on the pavement at the pool? Animals leave tracks behind too! Enjoy Forest Tracks by Dee Dee Duffy and then we’ll experiment with making tracks as well.

A monthly program series for very young children ages 18 months–3 years (and their grown-ups!)

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Nature Stories: Nature Neighbors

Friday, December 17, 10-11am

Learn about our winter animal neighbors and make a special treat to feed the birds. Register here

Nature Stories is a program for children ages

3–6 years with a participating adult.

Don't miss out Green Hills County Park is also hosting a December program!

Family Bird Hike

Monday, December 20 10-11am

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...wait no it's definitely a bird. Join us as to learn how to identify birds via sight and sound and any other interesting nature that crosses our path on an easy hike at Green Hills County Park. Bring your own binoculars or borrow some we have to scope out nature from a distance. What a fun way to kick off the holidays!

All ages, Register here

Programs full?! Don't forget to put yourself on the waitist we often have spots open up!

Have you visited

Blue Jay Point from Home?

Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space educators have been hard at work creating fun and educational content for all ages that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home until we can invite you for educational programs in the parks again!

Check back often as we frequently add new items, and be sure to check out similar pages at our sister parks' websites.

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Have you enjoyed a day in the park recently? Walked on our trails? Enjoyed a family picnic? Or simply have something you'd like us to know about? Please follow the link below to fill out a short anonymous survey so we can know what our park visitors are thinking about!

Survey Link