A return of some natives

Which came first, the settler or the turkeys? Why, the turkeys, of course.

Originally native to Long Island, the Eastern wild turkey was present locally until the early 1800s. Denizens of mature oak forests, their numbers dwindled as overhunting, habitat loss, and increasing use of cleared acreage for farming nearly eradicated them.

Now, thanks to a successful reintroduction effort by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Suffolk County, these majestic indigenous birds are once again thriving after a century long absence.

A group of 49 wild turkeys were released—24 into Southaven Park, 25 in Hither Hills Park—to coincide with their natural nesting period between February and March in 1993; by 2009, their number had grown to an estimated 3,000 birds. Last year, that figure had doubled to 6000.

Like many wild animals, turkeys are generally shy of humans and avoid them. They favor wooded areas where their diet includes nuts—acorns and hickory—fruits, grass, buds and insects, which are especially important to their young, called poults.

And, according to Frank Quevedo, executive director of the South Fork Natural History Museum, theirs is a welcome presence on Long Island.

“The success of the wild turkey population is extremely beneficial for the natural environment,” he said. “Wild turkeys provide a food source for many of our local predators such as coyotes, great horned owls, hawks, raccoons and red fox.  Prey/predator interactions, which have evolved here over thousands of years, are extremely necessary to sustain a healthy ecosystem.”

Unfortunately, wild turkeys are considered “pests” in urban areas, where their habitat has been depleted due to overdevelopment and habitat destruction.  Without a natural environment conducive to their species, they will destroy gardens and wander into traffic.

Yet, residents fail to understand how essential wild turkeys are in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. In fact, biologists refer to wild birds like turkeys as “bio-indicator species” and use their populations to assess the health of an ecosystem.

Far from being pests, they control insect populations, consuming many, including ticks. Having them around your house or in your neighborhood is a natural way of protecting against tick infestations.”

Of course, as with any wild animal, we can best coexist with turkeys by leaving them alone.

“Wild turkeys are not life-threatening to humans,” Quevedo continued, “but can be aggressive during their breeding season—April to June—in suburban areas like ours where, like geese, they have become more accustomed to humans.  They can be quite territorial when they have an active nest or young poults nearby.  If they sense a threat, they may attack any intruders to protect their young, a natural response.

“To avoid a potential problem, I would advise homeowners not to feed them, or any other wildlife, since it can prove dangerous to both animals and humans.

“The apex predators—bears, bobcats, mountain lions, wolves—that once roamed Long Island and maintained the predator/prey balance have been extirpated from the region. The void has resulted in an overabundance of deer, rabbits, rodents and turkeys.”

To help control the turkey population, last year, the NYSDEC extended the turkey hunting season into spring.

“Currently, a hunting season for turkeys is the only suitable option for controlling their population,” he said.

But another option may soon present itself.

“Keep an eye out on the natural expansion of eastern coyotes into Suffolk County. It may take decades, but once they establish themselves here, we will see a natural reduction of turkey populations, and a positive impact to our natural environment.”Asked what it would take for people and wild turkeys to peacefully coexist in the meantime, Quevedo did not equivocate.

“It’s simple,” he said. “Turkeys and humans can coexist if we just leave them alone. Let them stay as wild as possible.”