The hen, now Momma Turkey, reappeared July 17 with 10 big poults in tow. She and her poults spend nearly all their time in the trees and grass on our yard, and probably in a neighboring weed field that should be prime insect-finding territory.
We see them nearly every day, sometimes crossing our yard, sometimes practically knocking on our door.
They are, indeed, fun to watch. We hope the poult number remains at 10. There undoubtedly is a certain safety factor in living close to our house and garages, but we know an owl lives here too, and there are foxes in the area.
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- This hen turkey appeared in our yard April 4. For two days she stuffed herself with fallen bird seed and roosted in a pine tree in our backyard at night.
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- Early Day 3, this intent gobbler appeared. For twenty minutes he displayed and turned and dragged his wing tips. The hen paid no attention. In fact, she kept on eating bird seed.
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- Every few minutes the gobbler would say, in turkey-speak, “the heck with you” and drop his feathers to his non-breeding season appearance. A few minutes later he would puff up and display again. Same result.
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- He appeared to be a dispirited Romeo when he and his intended love moved out of sight behind some brush. The hen was back the next day, but the gobbler wasn’t. He must have gotten the message and moved on. We understand.
