Turkeys

Now, I may be losing it since it was about 5:45 or 6 this morning but I saw what appeared to be two TURKEYS (yes like the ones that go good with mashed potatos) walking at the end of my yard. I rubbed my eyes and grabbed my wife who thought that they were indeed turkeys. They definitely were not turkey vultures as the body was not constructed like the typical birds you see (hawk, vulture, etc.)...these suckers were big. Am I losing it or should I expect to see turkeys walking my yard in the burbs?

 

Well, we've had possums on our deck; saw raccoons; numerous squirrels and rabbits; have had too many near misses with deer, so why not turkeys? Seeing as how so much of the natural wooded areas are getting torn down, it would not surprise me to see even more wildlife wandering around in our suburbia.

 

maybe it was just too much wild turkey last night ??[)]

 

I've seen a few turkeys behind the wheel of a car in the neighborhood.

 

hahah, good one =)

 

Where's my gun and hunting vest?

-T

 

NOw, Now, Teak. We've discussed those drivers and other, more productive, ways of dealing with them.

 

They were most likely Turkey Vultures, that look exactly like a cross between a turkey and a vulture. They eat the roadkill. I've seen a group of 3 strip a deer carcass to nothing more than white gleaming bones in a few days.

 

What you saw could indeed be Eastern Wild Turkeys. Although I have not seen the actual birds, I have found plenty of foot prints and evidence of nests in the wooded area behind the Nature Center. I couldn't believe it either. So I checked with naturalists from Audubon Society and Rust Sanctuary (who came ot for a look) and they confirmed that the evidence was</u> from turkey's.

I have a whole packet of Wild turkey information at the Nature Center if anyone is interested in learning about these big birds that almost became our national symbol.There are five sub-species in the US.

 

Before we moved to Southern Walk, we lived in the Van Metre townhomes off Ellzey Dr. behind the Community Pool. We had a turkey or two living over in those woods for several months. I bet you weren't imagining things. Gobble Gobble!!

 

Hey ... who are you calling Turkeys ... why I've never been ...

Oh ... my wife just pointed out something ...


you saw turkeys .... nevermind !



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999