Phil, Steve, et al,

 

This is very nice to hear, and yet not completely unexpected.  As Mike said,
the place I've found Turkeys to be a "stronghold" in DC is at Poplar Point.
A couple of us have been visiting it this summer, and are happy to report
that at least one pair raised several young.  In May we saw 3 adults, so
it's possible that there is more than one pair.  I have also heard reports
from Ft. DuPont in SE DC, though I've never seen them there.  But it always
seems like Rock Creek should be able to support this species, and now
Steve's report confirms that.  

 

FYI, the RC Golf Course has been my traditional spot for finding American
Woodcock.  Every spring I go there, and have had at least two displaying
males.  That is, until this spring, when I was unable to find the time to
get there.  I assume they're still there.

 

Per the Roosevelt Island sighting, I think Turkeys work the relatively thin
strip of parkland on both sides of the river up into Montgomery County.
I've seen them along the GW Parkway in the past, and recall other reports
closer to the American Legion Bridge.

 

So as Phil says, with their increase in Turkeys in the areas around the
city, it seems that they are working their way into town on a number of
fronts.

 

Thanks for the report.

 

Paul Pisano

 

  _____  

From: Michael Bowen [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 4:52 PM
To: 
Cc: Phil Davis; Paul Pisano; Paul DeAnna; Rob Hilton :
Subject: Re: Wild turkey sighting in Rock Creek Park

 

Phil, Steve et al:

I have only seen Wild Turkey once in the District of Columbia.  That was on
May 29, 2005, in Anacostia Park, in the area often known as the "Anacostia
Wetlands," adjacent to the old NPS nursery (and close to where the new
soccer stadium for DC United may or may not be built!).

My sighting notes indicate that this bird -- a male -- was probably the same
individual as seen the previous day in the same location by Rob Hilton and
Paul Pisano.  In fact, either Rob or Paul, or possibly both of them, had
telephoned me on the 28th, which is why I went looking on the 29th.

I also recall someone in the last five years or so reporting a Turkey
sighting from Theodore Roosevelt Island across from the Kennedy Center, but
cannot find chapter and verse on this.

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD



At 05:31 PM 8/24/2007 -0400, you wrote:



Hi Steve:

Since MD DNR reintroduced Wild Turkey from the western part of the state to
all other counties, they have become rather plentiful in the last 10-15
years. I'm not as familiar with their status in DC. I'll copy on this
message some of the avid DC "listers" ... they may be interested in trying
to refind this bird for their DC lists.

Thanks for the report.

Phil


At 14:17 08/24/2007, you wrote:



Hello,
 
I am 54 years old and grew up in the Annapolis area.  I currently live in
Silver Spring and have always spent a lot of time in outdoor activities;
camping, hiking and golfing.  I had never seen a wild turkey in my life
until yesterday.  While playing golf at the Rock Creek Park Golf Course at
16 th and Rittenhouse Rd. N.W. I saw one for the first time and couldn't
believe it.  This was no turkey buzzard.  He came out of a thicket located
in back of the 11th tee and when I tried to get a better look after hitting
my shot, he had disappeared.  
 
The golf course is in very bad shape now and the course gets very little
play (all the greens have been closed).  This makes for ideal bird and
wildlife watching as some of the outlying holes are far away from roads and
human activity.  What was lost in the golfing experience what more than made
up for by seeing this beautiful creature.  I went back to the clubhouse
after completing my round and asked if they had ever seen any wild turkeys
on or near the course.  They said yes of course, there's a family of them
and they have actually been seen near the clubhouse!  
 
I hope this posting is of interest.  Please respond back with any comments
you may have.   I have copied my brother (Charles Stegman)  who is involved
w/ M.O.S. and has participated in species counts in the Salisbury, Maryland
area.  Thank you, Steve Stegman       


===================================================
Phil Davis, Secretary
MD/DC Records Committee
2549 Vale Court
Davidsonville, Maryland  21035     USA
301-261-0184
mailto:[log in to unmask]

MD/DCRC Web site:  http://www.MDBirds.org/mddcrc/rcindex.html
===================================================

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom