November 2012
WHAT’S THE
BUZZ?
www.ourcommunityfocus.com
Come watch the bees at work in our new Hive Alive! exhibit and get a better view of our birds in the newly renovated raptor viewing area! Visit Wednesday–Friday noon–5pm and weekends 10am–5pm. Go to www.wildlife-museum.org to learn more.
1931 FIRST AVENUE WALNUT CREEK 925-935-1978
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Wild Turkeys By Susan Heckly, Lindsay Wildlife Museum People’s opinions are really split on With Thanksturkeys—some love having them around, giving only weeks the rest will do just about anything to get away, it is time to talk rid of them. Sometimes the problem starts turkey. Wild turkeys, when one neighbor starts putting out food. once a rare sight in That attracts more turkeys and pretty soon northern California, a large flock has taken up residence. Many are now common people do not like turkeys because they are throughout the Bay loud and make a mess. Their untidy rouArea. So far in 2012, the wildlife hospital tines can drive people mad. has received 83 wild turkeys for care. Com• If turkeys begin feeding under hanging pare this to just ten years ago when we rebird feeders, remove the feeders until the ceived seven for the entire year. turkeys leave the area. Wild turkeys were brought to Cali• If turkeys are causing problems in your fornia over 100 years ago, then introyard, install motion-detecting sprinklers. duced again in the 1970s and have spread • Wild turkeys typically will not enter yards throughout the state. They prefer wooded with dogs. habitat, but can easily adapt to a variety of • If confronted by a wild turkey that has lost terrain. They eat plants, seeds, nuts, acorns, its fear of humans, an open umbrella may berries, insects and spiders. help steer it out of your path Turkeys have keen eyesight and hear For more information about Lindsay ing, and can run up to 18 miles per hour. Their flight skills are pretty phenomenal for Wildlife Museum and ways you can help wildlife, visit www.wildlife-museum.org. such a large bird. They can fly up to a mile and can fly straight up (helicopter style) into a tree. They are not particularly afraid of people or vehicles. They can be aggressive and have been know to stand up to cars trying to navigate city streets. They roost in tall trees at night and prefer to be within one half mile of a water source. Turkeys have learned to take advantage of our cities and suburbs. They are attracted to central Contra Costa because of the large number of mature oak trees that produce large crops of acorns.