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GPS Coordinates: 44.5726236, -123.3298546
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REGIONS > WESTERN OREGON > WILLAMETTE VALLEY
> CORVALLIS AND VICINITY > BALD HILL Russell Stone’s frustrated. Standing in a large, rain-drenched meadow, wearing an oversized blue coat and a gray stocking cap, he’s attempting to perfect his turkey call. He purses his lips, stifles some self-conscious laughter, and produces something like a wet sputter. “I was able to do this so well when I was in middle school,” Russell insists. “Try again,” says one of the Greenbelt Land Trust volunteers who’s watching nearby. Russell does so, and this time there’s a noticeable reaction from the gang of Rio Grande turkeys hiding from the rain beneath some nearby trees. “Did they just respond?” the volunteer asks no one in particular. It’s unclear if the increased vocalizations from the turkeys are because they’ve mistaken Russell for one of their own — or because they’re concerned he’s a threat. Whichever’s the case, more attempts produce more reactions, but the birds never leave the cover of the trees to investigate further. |
The History of Turkeys in Oregon
Turkeys are not native to Oregon. Introduced in 1975 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, turkeys have become a popular game bird for recreational hunters. Since their introduction, their range has significantly increased, and they are now found in both wild and urban areas. For most Oregonians, turkeys are a charming curiosity. But because they are also an invasive species, they can present a challenge to native plants and animals.
For the Greenbelt Land Trust, a conservation nonprofit organization based in Corvallis, there is a delicate balance between preserving Rio Grande turkeys and ensuring they do not displace native birds, like the Oregon vesper sparrow, which may occupy similar habitats.
For the Greenbelt Land Trust, a conservation nonprofit organization based in Corvallis, there is a delicate balance between preserving Rio Grande turkeys and ensuring they do not displace native birds, like the Oregon vesper sparrow, which may occupy similar habitats.
Conducting Turkey Counts
The Bald Hill Farm, a 587-acre property located on the west end of Corvallis, is owned and managed by the Greenbelt Land Trust. The farm has multiple purposes, including providing grazing for cattle, land for rare oak woodland, riparian and prairie habitat restoration, and 3 miles of public hiking trails.
It is also the perfect outdoor laboratory for studying the turkeys and their impact on local species. The Greenbelt Land Trust assembles scientists and volunteers to count the turkeys and assess their status several times a year.
The data-gathering process is admittedly low-tech.
“Everyone’s given clipboards with a tally sheet, and you go out and count heads,” said Russell. “Recording the data’s easy, but the count’s more difficult. After all, the birds aren’t holding still while you count them, and sometimes you can’t get very close.”
Aside from the number of birds in each flock, volunteers also record weather conditions, observations of other wild animals, the location of scat, and assess the turkeys’ impact on local vegetation. The tally sheets are collected and compiled at the end of each count. These numbers give scientists a clear assessment of how the turkeys are faring from year to year.
Of particular interest to the Greenbelt Land Trust is how the turkeys may impact protected species like the vesper sparrow. Because there is no hunting allowed on the farm, volunteers also assess if turkey fatalities result from natural causes such as old age and disease or predators like coyotes, bobcats, and cougars.
You can watch the accompanying video to see how Russell and Greenbelt Land Trust volunteers go about this process. These citizen science programs are open to the public and rely heavily on volunteer help. To learn more, visit greenbeltlandtrust.org.
It is also the perfect outdoor laboratory for studying the turkeys and their impact on local species. The Greenbelt Land Trust assembles scientists and volunteers to count the turkeys and assess their status several times a year.
The data-gathering process is admittedly low-tech.
“Everyone’s given clipboards with a tally sheet, and you go out and count heads,” said Russell. “Recording the data’s easy, but the count’s more difficult. After all, the birds aren’t holding still while you count them, and sometimes you can’t get very close.”
Aside from the number of birds in each flock, volunteers also record weather conditions, observations of other wild animals, the location of scat, and assess the turkeys’ impact on local vegetation. The tally sheets are collected and compiled at the end of each count. These numbers give scientists a clear assessment of how the turkeys are faring from year to year.
Of particular interest to the Greenbelt Land Trust is how the turkeys may impact protected species like the vesper sparrow. Because there is no hunting allowed on the farm, volunteers also assess if turkey fatalities result from natural causes such as old age and disease or predators like coyotes, bobcats, and cougars.
You can watch the accompanying video to see how Russell and Greenbelt Land Trust volunteers go about this process. These citizen science programs are open to the public and rely heavily on volunteer help. To learn more, visit greenbeltlandtrust.org.
Watch Russell's Video:
Representative Species of Bald Hill Farm Area:
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Suggested Activities for Bald Hill Farm Area:
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