Wild Turkey?

Visited Liberty Park in search of a Wood Duck that had been reported on the pond there. No Duck, but I noticed some construction going on near the Aviary and decided to check it out. Surprised to see a large building on the north side of the Aviary and discovered it is the new gift shop/admissions area/ staff workspace and indoor birds exhibition area--quite a change from my last visit. I went inside to check it out and one of the staff approached me (must have been the camera bag and binos) and informed me that a Wild Turkey was roaming the grounds. Hadn't planned on going through the gate, but didn't want to miss this unique opportunity. I located the Turkey near the Destination Argentina exhibit and chased him around the grounds for a bit. I also attended a live bird demo in the new indoor facility and featured was an Aplomado Falcon. While the urban oasis Liberty Park and the Tracy Aviary with its ample supply of food have hosted a number of uncommon birds including Summer Tanager and Bald Eagle, the presence of the Turkey begs the question: "how did he get there?" Although good fliers, Turkey typically run/walk on the ground and aren't known to fly more than a 1/4 mile at a clip, which means he would have had to touch down in congested urban neighborhoods for at least 5 or 6 miles from the surrounding foothills.

Wild turkeys are not known to have existed in Utah during early white settlement. However, historical and archeological evidence suggests that wild turkeys co-existed with Native Americans in Utah. Attempts to introduce the eastern wild turkey failed. Seven Merriam's turkeys were first planted in the LaSal Mountains of Grand County in 1952 from stock obtained from Colorado. Established populations now occur in Grand, San Juan, Beaver, Iron, Kane, Washington, Garfield, Piute, and Wayne counties. The first hunt in Utah was held in October of 1963. (Populations established in additional counties since this DWR article was published.)

http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=melegame

Publicado el febrero 17, 2012 02:57 TARDE por