The Florida scrub-jay, one of Florida’s most colorful birds and a species found in no other state, is the star of the show at Lyonia Preserve in Deltona.
The preserve is a precious slice of ancient scrub habitat remaining on a high ridge otherwise topped with housing developments.
Most of the habitat is low scrub oaks atop sand ridgesSince it was established, Lyonia Preserve has been actively managed to encourage the growth of the Florida scrub-jay population.
In 1992, one scrub-jay family lived nearby. By 2001, more than a hundred birds thrived here.
Florida scrub-jay with acornAdjoining the Deltona Public Library, the preserve has its own interactive nature center and gift shop, outdoor amphitheater, and picnic area.
You are more likely to see Florida scrub-jays along this hike than anywhere else in Florida, with a climb to the high point of Volusia County as a bonus.
A juvenile scrub-jay uses John’s hat as a perch on a rest break at the high pointResources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Deltona
Length: 2.1 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.930217, -81.225438
Address: 2150 Eustace Ave, Deltona
Fees: Free
Restroom: at the nature center
Land manager: Volusia County
Phone: 386-943-7081
The preserve is open dawn to dusk, but the nature center and adjacent library have more limited hours. Dogs are not permitted.
The scrub-jays are active all times of day, but especially early in the morning. Bring your binoculars and camera!
The birds are very curious and may land on your head, which is a good reason – in addition to being in open scrub habitat with minimal shade – to wear a hat. Don’t, however, feed the scrub-jays.
Directions
Take Interstate 4 east from Orlando to exit 114. Head southwest on SR 472 for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Providence Boulevard. After 0.7 mile, turn right on Eustace Avenue. The entrance is immediately on the left, adjoining the library. Park on the right side of the complex near the trailhead kiosk.
Hike
At the corner of the parking lot, the trailhead is well marked with an entrance fence and kiosk. Scrub plants are identified beside the path, which reaches a picnic shelter.
At the shelter, turn left to follow the broad firebreak behind the nature center and amphitheater to the original entrance to the loop trail system.
Old trailhead sign with mapTurn right to start the Rusty Lyonia Trail, blazed orange. Take an immediate left at the T intersection. The trail rises through a low scrub forest.
Dense with myrtle oak, Chapman oak, and rusty lyonia, it’s the perfect height for scrub jays to forage for acorns in the low brush.
Textures of the scrubListen for the calls of birds. A flash of brown and black may be a rufous-sided towhee, which also prefers this high, dry habitat, foraging the forest floor.
The upper end of the Rusty Lyonia Trail loop is at 0.2 mile. Continue straight to join the Red Root Trail at an intersection. Stay straight to remain on the perimeter loop.
Following the Red Root TrailCross a couple of two-track sand trails used for maintenance of the preserve before reaching a showy wetland cradled in the scrub.
It’s mostly hidden behind a screen of tall bluestem grass, their orange stalks waving in the wind. Follow the footpath left around its edge and up a noticable rise.
Wetland in the scrubYoung rosemary shrubs grow along both sides of the path in the bright white sand. Dark-leaved silk bay begins to appear along the trail.
At the next trail junction, 0.5 miles into the hike, continue straight to walk the perimeter of the Blueberry Trail.
Sharp climb up a ridgeThe climb becomes particularly pronounced. Keep alert for the shrill “shreep” of the scrub-jays among the scrubby oaks.
Rounding a small wetland in a sinkhole surrounded by trees, the trail gradually winds its way to a summit, reaching it a bench atop it at a mile.
Atop the high pointFifty feet above sea level, it’s the high point of this hike, providing a sweeping view across the preserve. A wetland sits below.
Scan for sandhill cranes, as they often browse the edges of this fragile wetland in the scrub.
Descent to the wetlandDescend steeply to the wetland. A few tall slash pines grow along the edge of the marsh, which the trail skirts along a fenced barrier.
Cross another two-track road. If you haven’t seen a scrub-jay yet, this scrubby corridor tends to be one of the spots where they browse near the trail.
Crossing a sand road on the Blueberry TrailFlorida scrub-jays are curious birds, larger than robins and bright blue. They travel in family units spanning two generations, so when one appears, expect several more in short order.
When they gather, it’s like having a flock of parrots circling. They sometimes land on people wearing baseball caps, as the button on top looks like an acorn cap.
Our friend GK gets an unexpected visit from a scrub-jayOnce they’re satisified you’re not a food source (please don’t feed them) they’ll return to shuffling leaves around on the forest floor, looking for insects and hiding acorns.
Their nests tend to be close to ground level in the scrub oaks. Younger birds will hop between the low branches in the dense scrub forest.
Florida scrub-jay in oak scrubCross several more unmarked junctions with two-track roads. The trail rises from a soft forest of sand pines into taller oaks.
Florida rosemary lines the bright white sand of the footpath for a stretch. Reach the junction of the Blueberry Trail and the Red Root Trail at 1.6 miles.
Florida rosemary thrives along this stretchTurn left at the intersection to continue on the perimeter. We’ve frequently encountered scrub-jays on this stretch of the Red Root Trail.
Head steeply downhill to reach a trail junction at a T intersection after 1.8 miles. Turn left, rejoining the Rusty Lyonia Trail.
Along the Rusty Lyonia TrailMake a left at the next junction to finish its loop. It scrambles uphill through a thick scrub of myrtle oak, rusty lyonia, and wax myrtle with scattered blueberries.
Swinging around to complete the loop, it passes through a thick stand of oaks before coming to the trail junction at 2 miles.
Downhill towards the nature centerTurn left, facing the back side of the nature center, and descend to the fence line. Turn left again to retrace it through the soft sand back to the picnic pavilion.
Don’t be surprised, as we were, if a family of scrub-jays shows up on this final stretch to see you to the trailhead.
Returning to the trailheadWhen and where they appear along this hike is unpredictable, but chances are high you will see Florida’s endemic bird.
If you didn’t visit the nature center before the hike, do it now. Interactive exhibits and live animals make it fascinating for all ages.
One corner of the nature centerTrail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of Lyonia Preserve
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Audubon Park In 60 acres of green space that gently reclaims stormwater through a series of marshes, Audubon Park lets birders and hikers enjoy a quiet walk adjoining a beauty spot along the East Central Regional Rail Trail. 
Cassadaga Fairy Trail Let your imagination take wing on one of Florida's most unusual footpaths, a walk in the woods blending art, enchantment, and nature.
Spring to Spring Trail South Linking Green Springs to Gemini Springs to Lake Monroe, the southern portion of the Spring to Spring Trail is also an important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
Gemini Springs Park With nearly 5 miles of gentle woodland paths and paved trails, playgrounds, picnic area, paddling trail and a dog park, Gemini Springs Park is a popular, well-connected getaway 
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