I noticed this at around 9:30-10am Saturday. Not sure l've seen so many Turkey
Vultures in a field before. Concentrated on a carcass or dispersed. It's a
perennial grass seed field, where vole populations can build up and attract
concentrations of raptors. The ag field at Luckiamute Landing state natural
area has been blessed with the voles this year, but so far only Great Blue
Herons are pursuing them. I too remarked on the absence of straw, hence
evidence of recent machinery and attendant microtine mortality in the field
between Corvallis and Tangent. Perhaps the vultures are attracted to voles that
have been dead for awhile. The field at Luckiamute Landing state natural area
has had dead voles of a certain vintage this season, occasionally revealed by
bird banders' companion canines. I know that slug bait is sometimes applied to
farm fields in Linn County, but have never heard of rodenticides. Not saying it
wouldn't happen, but the profitability of the crop is so marginal that no one
would spend an extra penny. On occasion the vole densities are such that
Buteos cease to fly, or even run, but waddle from vole to vole. I didn't pull
over and watch. But l didn't see the Turkey Vultures moving at all. On a
related note, l was at the Marine Science center trail before sunrise Saturday
and saw at least half a dozen Turkey Vultures rise up behind Idaho Point and
start flying about quite actively. 6am at the latest and still kinda dark. I
always think of this species as taking to the skies around 10am. That's when
thermal updrafts start to develope in the Willamette Valley. The north wind was
plenty strong over Yaquina Bay yesterday to make a vulture's time aloft
entertaining and effort free. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: mary holbert <holbertmary@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: 8/30/20 11:36 AM (GMT-08:00) To: obol-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc:
Oregon Birders OnLine <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [obol] Vultures along Hwy
34 I'm enroute Corvallis to I-5. I noticed along the South side of the
highway in fields that have been completely harvested there are lots of
vultures on the ground. They are not congregated. They appear to be eating.
This is not a recent harvest there's not any stubble the field looks like it's
starting to refresh itself. My concern is that somebody is poisoning rodents
and the vultures are feeding on them. Any thoughts?Mary Holbert
