[obol] Wild Turkeys

From: Dan Gleason <dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: OBOL OBOL <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:34:21 -0700

Don't be surprised that the turkeys seem tame. They have been here in the
Eugene area many years now and their numbers continue to increase. We now have
25-40 turkeys that come through our yard (south hills of Eugene) every day. In
September of last year, Iactually 70 coming around ourhouse and crossing the
street. I can walk out into the middle of the flock and they simply walk around
me. I have been surrounded by 10 or males in full display. They can be
aggressive to one another, but they pay no atention to me. We now have to chase
them off of our 2nd story deck where they raid our feeders. Some fly off the
rail when I open the door, but a few won't leave until until I'm only inches
away. Sometimes some of them will spend the night in the tall conifers near our
house. In the morning they fly down onto our roof, making considerable noise.
There is the potential for damage, but so far, things look ok.

It was a novelty when they first showed up in the neighborhood 13-14 years ago.
Now they're simply a nuisance. We are in wooded hills, perfect habitat for
turkeys, but many residential neighborhoods all across town now have turkeys.
If you are only now beginning to see Wild Turkeys, be patient. I suspect their
numbers will likely grow quickly in the next few years.

The attached photo was taken a couple of years ago and these birds were maybe
3-4 feet from the house. There were several more beyond the photo, also in full
display.

Dan Gleason

Dan-Gleason
Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited of Eugene
Ornithology Instructor, University of Oregon
dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx
541-953-4726

Follow-Ups:
- [obol] Re: Wild Turkeys
  - From: Dennis Vroman

[obol] Wild Turkeys

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