Wild Turkey - status in Ottawa / Eastern Ontario

[Christina Lewis]

Hello Ontbirds people,

On Tuesday March 12, John MacKenzie, a senior wildlife biologist with the
Ministry of Natural Resources, gave a presentation to the Ottawa
Field-Naturalists' Club re: the Wild Turkey Introduction Program - a very
interesting talk which shed some light on the history and current status of
the species in eastern Ontario, and prompted me to do a wee bit of research
for my own interest...hopefully this may be of interest to others as well
(with apologies to those who know a heck of a lot more about turkeys than I
do!)

The "eastern" subspecies of the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)
was formerly a permanent resident in extreme southern Ontario.  Its
"natural" range in Ontario probably never extended farther east than
Belleville (Mr. MacKenzie mentioned Kingston as a possible but unconfirmed
eastern extremity). The species was extirpated from Ontario in the early
1900's, due to habitat loss and hunting pressures.  In 1984, the MNR, the
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Federation of
Ontario Naturalists (FON) collaborated with the U.S. to import wild-caught
American birds into southern Ontario. (The FON subsequently extricated
itself from this partnership; currently the MNR works with OFAH and the
National Wild Turkey Federation).  This introduction program has apparently
been very successful, and release sites now extend from Chatham to Cornwall.
A news release from the MNR on 23 January 2001 stated: "Since 1984, the
population in Ontario has grown to 30,000 with the species now occupying
15,000 square miles in southern Ontario."

Wild Turkeys were 1st released in the Kemptville area in 1992, and the 1st
releases in the Ottawa area were near Carp in 1996 - 97.  The most recent
"Ottawa" releases were in 2000 - 2001 (several Ottawa birders observed a
large flock of 37 turkeys in a field along Diamondview Road west of Carp in
early January 2000).  Mr. MacKenzie stated that the MNR does not plan any
further introductions in the Ottawa area [are you paying attention, "Ottawa
Listers"?]...so, unless the birds fail, or the MNR changes its plans, Wild
Turkeys may finally be "countable" in Ottawa by the year 2010, according to
the AOU rules.

What are the long-term chances of the species surviving and becoming
self-sustaining this far north & east?  According to Godfrey (The Birds of
Canada), turkeys are generally unable to tolerate severe winters, but if
enough habitat is available and hunting pressure is light, some may survive
and re-populate an area.  Mr. MacKenzie pointed out the trend toward milder
winters over the last 2 decades. And although he was not able to provide
information re: numbers of winter casualties since the beginning of the
program in eastern Ontario, he acknowledged that the presence of agriculture
near the "turkey forests" has certainly been beneficial (i.e. waste grains,
manure spreading, etc.), as well as the increase in the popularity of
bird-feeders among both rural and suburban folks.

With some luck, and some respect from landowners and hunters, these
impressive birds may become "permanent residents" in their Brave New
Frontier...Ottawa...a place where no turkeys (other than politicians) have
gone before!

Of course, things can & do change...
Let's talk turkey again...
...in the year 2010!
_____________________________

More info re: Wild Turkeys in Ontario :

Cadman, M.D. et al. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario. 1987. Federation
of Ontario Naturalists
Godfrey, W.E. The Birds of Canada. 1986. National Museums of Canada (Ottawa)
James, R.D. Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Ontario. 1991. Royal Ontario
Museum
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website...mostly info for hunters, but
recent info re: turkey releases can be found at
www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/csb/news/jan23nr01.html
_____________________________

Good birding,

Chris Lewis
Ottawa
weewa at primus.ca












"Christina Lewis" <weewa at primus.ca>