Re: Turkey Vultures -- Toledo Area Rare Bird Alert

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Date Posted: 08:00:20 01/09/04 Fri
Author: Greg
Author Host/IP: cblmdm204-118-180-246.buckeye-express.com / 204.118.180.246
Subject: Re: Turkey Vultures
In reply to: W.J. Stewart 's message, "Turkey Vultures" on 14:31:55 01/08/04 Thu

Great questions, Bill. First, with regard to possible sustenance around Hidden Lake Gardens. Art Osborn keenly surmised after he witnessed a "mammal" stumbling around, that perhaps there was an especially high rate of poisoning going on at HLG to keep unwanted vegetation from propogating. As a result, mammals are being poisoned and are dying, and the vultures are eating them.

Perhaps the poison is bad enough that it kills things like woodchucks, etc, but not strong enough to bother the vultures' digestive system.

Osborn asked a HLG employee about poison use, and his answer confirmed they use high amounts.

Turkey vulture nests have been documented in our region, but mostly in the past. They nest in deciduous woods, either in tree hollows, fallen logs, or tree crevices. They do not make "nests" of any sort.

In the Oak Openings in the summer, it is possible to observe juvenile TVs, so nesting is most likely occurring in the park, as well as in nearby areas.

With regard to the birds around the quarry, they could be nesting in nearby woodlots. I think, but am not sure admittedly, that the vultures are attracted to the quarry because of the warm thermals rising from below.

For as common of a bird it is, rather little is known about recent nesting activity in our area!

Hope this sheds a little light.

Greg

that the keepers of HLG use large amounts of poison, presumably to keep out unwanted vegetation. And, after he witnessed a "mammal" stumbling around, thought perhaps there was an especially high rate of poisoning going on

> Wouldn't think of it Greg,BUT really would like
>to know what food source is holding these brave birds
>so far North. Could it be an abbatoir or a community
>dump? Have the same curiousity re: the colony that
>summers at the quarries near Sylvania Ave. and
>Centennial Rd. Is this a breeding colony. Have been in
>there, and access is not easy, but did not see
>evidence of nesting. Anyone in the know please
>disgorge any info you may have as to just what these
>birds do manage to eat. Thank you-----Stewart

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