Dan and other OBOLers,
Yes, when they are displaying, as with Dan's photo, they are not easily
scared off, especially if a hen is around. They will strut right by you.
They are displaying in our home area at this time.
I can remember when there was just a few Turkeys around our place
(1998)...now 35 to 60 a day are not uncommon. Give thanks there are only 3
around.
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Gleason" <dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "OBOL OBOL" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 4:34 PM
Subject: [obol] Wild Turkeys
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
