My year has started out wrong and I don’t know what to do to
fix it. I spend the winter in
anticipation of spring. There are
certain signs I look for that indicate spring is not far away and I feel
energized each time one occurs. My
problem is that so many of my signs of spring have already been realized. Salamander Breeding is always the first, but
that happened back in December before winter really got started. Next comes the Woodcock mating display, which
is normally a February event. I’ve had a
Woodcock displaying since November and there are currently at least two males
calling and spiraling in the field behind the house. Now the turkeys have jumped ahead of the
Spring Peepers and claimed the number three slot for signs of spring 2012.
Wild Turkey displays are typically an early March
event. I heard my first turkey gobble
come from the woods on New Years Day.
They’ve been heard a few times since then and now they’ve come into the
yard to show me that they weren’t just letting loose with a few stray
gobbles. The Toms are displaying with
full vigor. They’re going to be some
mighty tired birds by the time the breeding season ends.
This looks like the scene of a sit-com. The gents, dressed in their finest suits with
matching red bowties, are falling over each other in their attempts to impress
the lady. “Hey Baby. Hey Baby.”
She doesn’t look at all impressed.
Between displays, the Toms forage along with the hens.
But they’re all alert to the possibility that a hen might be
receptive to renewed courtship activities.
If the Peepers start calling, I’ll just have to concede that spring has
truly arrived. Maybe I should start
planting my garden.
We can't fight Mother Nature, huh! Perhaps turkey dinner instead of ham for Easter?
ReplyDeleteSTEVE, I was watching gobblers strutting , and gobbling on DEC 1, 2011 while deer hunting, im still puzzled why they do what they do. you can be in total camo in the spring and they can see ya amile away, but in winter you can be in blaze orange an the turkeys will walk up an roost in the tree above you . amazing critters
ReplyDeleteHi Lois. You're right. We just have to accept what happens.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike. When I read what people wrote about turkey behavior 30 or 40 years ago, it's not describing the turkeys we have today.
Yep, things are changing and all we can do is go with the flow.
ReplyDeleteI like the Turkey comparison with guys wearing their finest suits. They sure look like it :D
I've never seen wild Turkeys, that must be quite a sight!
Hi Nicole. Wild Turkeys are certainly impressive birds and are always fun to watch.
ReplyDelete