Turkeys!

[squirrelitude]

OK, technically just one turkey, in a tree on Packard Ave:

(Click to greatly embiggen.)

Someone saw it fly up there, but didn't see whether it was a tom or a hen. Has anyone heard of turkeys in this area before? I know they're in some other suburbs, and I'm sure there are a bunch in the Fells, but I've never heard of any in Somerville before.

Comments

[molyflogs.livejournal.com]

Yes! Old story, but: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/23/turkeys_take_to_cities_towns/

I worked at a shop right on Mass Ave in Cambridge a few years ago and saw a turkey just wandering up the sidewalk.

[coffeekitty.livejournal.com]

i saw a wild turkey on my street (side street near mass. ave) a few years ago. people tell me that they are seen with some frequency near Alewife, and may follow the bike paths into town.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

I've seen them on the bike path just past alewife, and in the parking lot of that small church just across from alewife and rindge ave, as recently as 6 months ago.

[kpht.livejournal.com]

with god as my witness, i thought turkeys could fly!

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

That's exactly where I went, too! :)

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

there was a turkey who lived in kendall square for a number of years before he was whisked off to a reserve. i often passed him on my way to work :) big suckers too. little bit scary imo.

here is a picture:



[from this link on flickr. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brightcove/9335109/in/faves-93164985@N00/)]

[squirrelitude]

That is a gorgeous bird! Did it ever puff up at you? One of my earlier memories is the self-appointed guard turkey at the local SPCA (in Charlottesville, VA) giving me a *look* before letting me past to look at the dog runs. :-)

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

he was! (we all called him 'he' but i honestly have no idea how to tell the difference.)

but no, he never puffed up - this was taken in front of the marriot (by a friend of mine which i was so grateful for because MY coworkers all thought i was crazy, lol) but mostly i saw him walking along past zigo and the other little shops at the bottom of whatever that building is (yes, i'm very observant). he would just be peering in, pecking at the glass going down the row. or i would see him sleeping underneath the cars or the small trees across the street. i did worry because that is some kind of daycare/playground, and i didn't want any turkeys being assaulted or any kids getting their eyes pecked out, haha. he probably came up to my waist at least, so perfect toddler height!

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

We had one on my street in South Medford last fall. They sleep in trees at night.

[thesoxgap]

I saw one walking down Concord Ave in Cambridge a few weeks ago.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I was just going to say, there is a turkey in my back yard (North Cambridge) about once a week. Probably the same one or one of the same flock!

[martini-corona.livejournal.com]

Last year I saw one walking down my street (off Beacon, near Kebab Factory) at around 8 AM on a quiet Sunday morning. I think it was a female. Probably came into town via the railroad tracks...

[fangirl715.livejournal.com]

Considering someone reported seeing a coyote running up Lexington Ave. a few months back, I'm not surprised to hear about turkeys. When we start getting bears & moose, though, I'm going to get worried...

[squirrelitude]

s/worried/excited/ :-P

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

last year i saw a turkey hen on college ave, right behind the haitian creole church.

[tequilamckngbrd.livejournal.com]

There's usually one hanging around the Alewife T-station.

[lfitzb.livejournal.com]

I saw one in davis today! But definitely not as big at this guy. I think it was a young one. He gobbled and ran away.

[squirrelitude]

Where?! Like, in the square, or off in a nearby lawn?

[lfitzb.livejournal.com]

Yes in the square, two people were video taping it. near the statue of the creepy old lady and man walking. !! TURKEYS ARE INVADING.

[squirrelitude]

Yay! That's really awesome.

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

A perfectly cromulent place for a turkey.