Interesting. Considering how explosively the population increased over the last 20 years, perhaps a leveling off shouldn't be too unexpected? I think this is just one of many upcoming and current opportunities for birders to help provide information to wildlife management agencies and other conservation planners. With all of the birding talent we have in such a small area in CT, we should be able to know our birds and their distribution better than just about anywhere. Patrick Comins, Meriden -----Original Message----- From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org]On Behalf Of Peregrine Information Consultants Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:41 AM To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Subject: [CT Birds] Wild Turkeys in CT An article in today's Hartford Courant discusses the decline in the wild turkey population, in part because of unfavorable weather conditions. The DEP is seeking info. Excerpt: "To get a better handle on the number of turkeys in the wild - one estimate put it at 40,000 about four years ago - the DEP last year began a survey that seeks input from the agency's staff and the public. The agency wants reports of wild turkey sightings, especially hens with poults, as the young are known, between June 1 and Aug. 31. ... Sightings of wild turkeys between June 1 and Aug. 31 can be reported by calling 860-642-7239 or e-mailing michael.gregonis@po.state.ct.us" The entire article may be found at http://tinyurl.com/222mjl or go to www.courant.com and search on keyword "turkeys" Sarah Johnston Farmington _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

There has been a big drop in turkeys here in Salem this past year or so. >From the evidence of murder one can readily find in our forests: populations of Coyotes, Fishers and Bobcats have all increased sharply in our area, and all feast on Wild Turkeys. In fact I think the large number of turkeys may well have been part of the reason for the success of the other three species.A neighbor watching a gaggle of turkeys was astonished to see a Bobcat bound out of the forest and snatch one up. Fishers have no trouble reaching turkey roosts at night, and Coyotes can readily stalk them when they are on the ground. Coyotes here seem to be about twice the size and weight of their cousins on the plains, an evolution that has occurred gradually over the past 30 years that I have watched them on our farm. While their scat used to be all mouse and rabbit fur, it is now almost entirely deer hair and turkey bones - will they take over the role that the wolf used to play in the Eastern Forest in controlling deer populations? Over time, I would not be surprised to see that happen, unless the wolf and cougar come back, which is a possibility, and in which case the coyotes will be put back in their place. David Bingham ----- Original Message ----- From: "COMINS, Patrick" <PCOMINS@audubon.org> To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:39 AM Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Wild Turkeys in CT > Interesting. Considering how explosively the population increased over > the last 20 years, perhaps a leveling off shouldn't be too unexpected? > > I think this is just one of many upcoming and current opportunities for > birders to help provide information to wildlife management agencies and > other conservation planners. With all of the birding talent we have in > such a small area in CT, we should be able to know our birds and their > distribution better than just about anywhere. > > Patrick Comins, Meriden > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org > [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org]On Behalf Of Peregrine > Information Consultants > Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:41 AM > To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: [CT Birds] Wild Turkeys in CT > > > > An article in today's Hartford Courant discusses the decline in the wild > turkey population, in part because of unfavorable weather conditions. The > DEP is seeking info. Excerpt: > > "To get a better handle on the number of turkeys in the wild - one > estimate put it at 40,000 about four years ago - the DEP last year began a > survey that seeks input from the agency's staff and the public. The agency > wants reports of wild turkey sightings, especially hens with poults, as > the young are known, between June 1 and Aug. 31. ... Sightings of wild > turkeys between June 1 and Aug. 31 can be reported by calling 860-642-7239 > or e-mailing michael.gregonis@po.state.ct.us" > > > The entire article may be found at http://tinyurl.com/222mjl > > or go to www.courant.com and search on keyword "turkeys" > > > Sarah Johnston > Farmington > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org >

Don't forget turkeys are a game animal. Hunter take a couple of thousand a year as well. Carol Lemmon david bingham <dbbingham@sbcglobal.net> wrote: There has been a big drop in turkeys here in Salem this past year or so. >From the evidence of murder one can readily find in our forests: populations of Coyotes, Fishers and Bobcats have all increased sharply in our area, and all feast on Wild Turkeys. In fact I think the large number of turkeys may well have been part of the reason for the success of the other three species.A neighbor watching a gaggle of turkeys was astonished to see a Bobcat bound out of the forest and snatch one up. Fishers have no trouble reaching turkey roosts at night, and Coyotes can readily stalk them when they are on the ground. Coyotes here seem to be about twice the size and weight of their cousins on the plains, an evolution that has occurred gradually over the past 30 years that I have watched them on our farm. While their scat used to be all mouse and rabbit fur, it is now almost entirely deer hair and turkey bones - will they take over the role that the wolf used to play in the Eastern Forest in controlling deer populations? Over time, I would not be surprised to see that happen, unless the wolf and cougar come back, which is a possibility, and in which case the coyotes will be put back in their place. David Bingham ----- Original Message ----- From: "COMINS, Patrick" To: Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:39 AM Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Wild Turkeys in CT > Interesting. Considering how explosively the population increased over > the last 20 years, perhaps a leveling off shouldn't be too unexpected? > > I think this is just one of many upcoming and current opportunities for > birders to help provide information to wildlife management agencies and > other conservation planners. With all of the birding talent we have in > such a small area in CT, we should be able to know our birds and their > distribution better than just about anywhere. > > Patrick Comins, Meriden > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org > [mailto:ctbirds-bounces@lists.ctbirding.org]On Behalf Of Peregrine > Information Consultants > Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:41 AM > To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: [CT Birds] Wild Turkeys in CT > > > > An article in today's Hartford Courant discusses the decline in the wild > turkey population, in part because of unfavorable weather conditions. The > DEP is seeking info. Excerpt: > > "To get a better handle on the number of turkeys in the wild - one > estimate put it at 40,000 about four years ago - the DEP last year began a > survey that seeks input from the agency's staff and the public. The agency > wants reports of wild turkey sightings, especially hens with poults, as > the young are known, between June 1 and Aug. 31. ... Sightings of wild > turkeys between June 1 and Aug. 31 can be reported by calling 860-642-7239 > or e-mailing michael.gregonis@po.state.ct.us" > > > The entire article may be found at http://tinyurl.com/222mjl > > or go to www.courant.com and search on keyword "turkeys" > > > Sarah Johnston > Farmington > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org