turkey

Wild Turkey

Wild turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo, can be seen throughout Florida foraging in leaflitter in open areas or at the edges of forests. Insects, snails, berries, and nuts make up much of their diets. They often create flocks of up to 20 birds. At night, wild turkeys stay safe by roosting in the trees of a dense forest.
There are two subspecies of wild turkeys in Florida. The Osceola or Florida wild turkey (M.g. osceola) is only found in peninsular Florida. In the panhandle and northern Florida, the Osceola turkey breeds with the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). These large chubby birds with their iridescent plumage and long legs have a wingspan of 49-56.5 inches. Females are smaller than males and not as brightly colored.
In the spring, the male wild turkey’s head will turn bright red as he struts, gobbles, and fans out his tail to attract a female. The hen will build a nest on the ground where she lays 9-11 eggs over 12-13 days. In 25-26 days, the incubated eggs will hatch. It’s not long before the young can feed themselves but they are not able to fly for two weeks. The hen will keep them safe at night under her wings for about four weeks until they are strong enough to fly to a tree to roost.
Fun Fact: Turkey fossils older than 5 million years have been found throughout the southern US.
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo and Dan Kon
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Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area

Located near Christmas Fl, the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area includes an 18.6-mile loop trail that features a lake.

The trail is located along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail so expect to see plenty of wildlife enjoying the area. Wading birds, eagles, ospreys, turkeys, deer, and alligators are some of the wildlife you may meet. Beautiful cabbage palm hammocks and freshwater marshes are waiting for you to explore. Discover bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and abundant wildflowers. Be on the lookout for rare pitcher plants, hand ferns, and cutthroat grass.

Short hikes can lead to many sightings and new discoveries like the virgin bald cypress stand in James Creek Swamp. There are trails for day hikes and hiking with overnight camping. Primitive campsites are available for the more adventurous including one along the 12 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The unpaved roads are bicycle-friendly. For those who would rather view the scenery from the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle, you are permitted to do so when the roads are not too wet or sandy. Dogs are welcome when on a leash.

Whether on foot, by bicycle, or from your vehicle:
Get Outside. Explore. Discover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Power Lines and Birds

Director, Dan Kon was driving through his neighborhood when he saw a young man on a bike who was stopped and staring woefully at a large bird of prey lying on the sidewalk.

Post by Dan:
I stopped to see if the teen and the animal were ok but the turkey vulture was dead. The teen told me he was riding his bike when the bird fell from a tree above and landed on the sidewalk in front of him.
I looked up and saw feathers on the power line above. Either the poor vulture was electrocuted or had fallen from the tree above and made contact with the line on the way down I took several pictures including the pole number and street signs nearby.

I immediately called Duke Energy. The person I spoke with was compassionate and determined to get any potential problem with the power line repaired. She asked for the street and pole number, then promptly scheduled a lineman to be sure the line was safe so no other wildlife could be harmed.

The Duke Energy Representative informed me that dry rot of the insulation, animal’s talons, or sometimes squirrels who tear off some of the insulation, will expose the live wire beneath.

A few days later, I followed up and learned the lineman did inspect the power line and it was not in need of repair. While I did not learn what caused the death of this creature, I did learn that Duke Energy is responsive to keeping our wild friends safe.

Duke Energy asked that if any you who are their customer see an issue like this, please report it to them as soon as possible. Be sure to write down or take a picture of the pole number, located on a tag on the pole, as well as nearby street signs. The company does not want Florida’s wildlife and flora harmed.

It’s good to see a company as large as Duke Energy has joined the worldwide movement to protect our wildlife.

Connect. Respect. Coexist.

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