Wild Turkeys
What a delight! On a routine trip to town I turned a corner and there by the side of the road were three wild turkeys looking much like those in the picture below. If I had had my camera I would have had time to take my own picture.
This may not be so unusual to those who live south of me but it is a rare and novel sighting here.
There are wild turkeys in Southern Ontario as a result of a 25 year old (since 1984) reintroduction program.
In 1909, Wild Turkeys were over hunted to extinction in Ontario. The reintroduction program has been a big success, so much so their is a hunting season in which 10,000 birds are taken. The estimates are there are as many as 100,000 birds in Ontario now.
A little while ago their was a effort in introduce the birds into North Ontario. The St. Charles Area, about 40 miles from here was were it began. Also over toward Sault Ste Marie on St. Joseph Island there are some Wild Turkeys as the result of a reintroduction program there, I assume. Until this year Turkeys had not show up around here.
In the Spring, I had a neighbour about five miles away tell me he had a couple of Wild Turkeys show up around his place. I had my doubts, until now.
It will be nice if they establish themselves in this area. I am not sure how far north they my extend their range and still survive the winter. They will join the White Tailed Deer and Sandhill Cranes that have migrated into this area in significant numbers in the last couple of decades.
With any luck, the recent effort to reintroduce Elk in the area, we may see them some day also.
Years ago, there were lots of deer here, north of Lake Nipissing, but until relatively recently their were none. This is moose country and I was told they didn't like to share the range with moose. This, of course, was not true as they have moose in the deer area also. The big over wintering deer yard is south of Lake Nipissing. But now deer around here are seen regularly. Yesterday, while walking the dog I watch one swim across the river. Nature is full of such little delights!
posted by Tossing Pebbles in the Stream @ 8:03 a.m.
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5 Comments:
I trust Heidi hasn't taken a dislike to turkeys as well as hogs.
Any success on finding a place for your hogs? Or is that no longer your thought? You can tell I am interested in the continuing saga of Heidi, hog killer, and hogs who take offense at Heidi.
We have a family of 5 wild turkeys on our property. The dogs are completely terrified of them. They're bigger than you'd expect, aren't they?
I have seen a couple up here but not regularly at all.
I love seeing wild turkeys! We used to see them across the hill on the other side of the lake, but now they have built homes over there so that's the end of that. I do occasionally see a deer and fox.
I love seeing nature!
Philip,
It's nice to know that wild turkeys are making a comeback in your area. We are over populated with deer and have been for a few years. The hunt is going to be bigger and better this year. It's not uncommon to see deer here at dusk or in the early morning hours. I haven't seen any wild turkeys, but know they are there, hidden from view.
Enjoyed visiting with you, my friend. Thanks for keeping us up to date on what is happening in your corner of the world.
Blessings,
Mary
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