THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: Southbound

| Arbor Heights | Fauntleroy | Seaview | West Seattle news | Wildlife

As the one-year anniversary of its mysterious appearance nears, The West Seattle Turkey is back in the neighborhood where those early sightings happened.

WSB commenter “1994” texted that photo from north Arbor Heights tonight. Earlier, Emily K. photographed it in Upper Fauntleroy, near 36th/Cambridge:

Steve also reported a sighting there, while a texter saw TWST at 36th/Cloverdale: “I have always wanted to see her on a walk and then she appears right outside our yard! So cool!” The day began with Amy‘s sighting in Seaview:

TWST has covered a lot of ground in the past few weeks – south to Fauntleroy, then north to North Admiral, and now all the way south to Arbor Heights. BirdWeb says of the wild turkey, “They typically get around by walking although they can fly and often roost overnight in tall trees.”

Pelicans April 10, 2020 (4:36 am)

I often wonder if that solitary/lonely bird is searching for his own flock. Plenty of food around, but how does he/she feel during mating season? Nearest birds I can see are way outside of metro and suburban Seattle.

Janelle April 10, 2020 (7:39 am)

Thanks for this WSB :)

Stay safe TWST 💛

JBright April 10, 2020 (8:52 am)

TWST passed by our house on SW Thistle at around 2:30 pm on Thursday, heading east along the sidewalk.

WR April 10, 2020 (9:30 am)

She was in the road this morning on Marine View Dr. Careful everyone to keep an eye out. She did not seem to be in a hurry to cross the street. Beautiful though.

Eilis April 10, 2020 (9:35 am)

The turkey was on our block and I MISSED IT? Sad!

HIDE BEHIND April 10, 2020 (10:23 am)

Poor hen, she searches North to South, East to West, and no bearded gbbler to be found.
Tis breeding season, for Seattle’s shut in at home residents as well, and unlike humans this bird will not hesitate to turkey trot full bore to get closer, lots closer, than six feet when she finds a mate.
Somebody from east of mountain where Turkey’s are pest, please capture a Tom or two, ship them to Seattle and let them gobble, so that poor hen can settle down.

Eric1 April 10, 2020 (11:37 am)

Aside from laws against moving wildlife, I don’t think many people would want to try to capture a wild tom. The are reasonably smart, large, and certainly not defenseless. However it is spring and turkey eggs/poults are available for purchase. Seattle allows 8 domestic fowls and if some should escape the cleaver prior to Thanksgiving party….

Bill April 10, 2020 (11:07 pm)

I wonder what she may be finding to eat? Does anyone know what would be good for her – so people where she is hanging out can feed her? — This wide ranging may be more hunting for food than mate. Then again — is there any chance we may have more than one WST??

Janelle April 11, 2020 (7:27 am)

Janelle April 11, 2020 (7:35 am)

Some info I found on how to create a turkey friendly yard:

Food

Turkeys are omnivorous and will sample a wide variety
of foods. Birders can provide a large ground feeding station with cracked corn
or mixed birdseed, or turkeys will happily clean up any spills under hanging
feeders. Plenty of natural foods are also great for turkeys, including nuts,
berries, crabapples, snails, slugs, and insects, and letting turkeys snack on
these natural foods is a cheaper alternative than paying for their hearty
appetites.

Water

Ground bird baths are best to provide turkeys with
water, and the basin should not only be low, but should be sufficiently broad
to accommodate a large turkey flock. A shallow bath will be more attractive to
turkeys, and it should be kept as clean and fresh as possible. Turkeys will
also drink from broad puddles or similar water sources.

Shelter

Turkeys roost overnight in large, mature trees, and
planting deciduous trees in a thick patch or leaving a woodland border intact
adjacent to the yard will help provide that shelter. Tall scrub brush, mature
shrubbery, and a large brush pile or wood pile can also help provide shelter
that will attract wild turkeys.

Nesting sites

These birds nest on the ground beneath shrubs
or a brush pile, and if that shelter is already in the yard, turkeys may choose
to raise their young nearby. They have large broods, so a good-sized private
area for nesting is essential. Leaf litter is the best nesting material for a
turkey’s shallow scrape, and they will use other plant debris to line the nest.

Other tips

Create a large, wide dust bath for turkeys to dust and preen
safely and conveniently.

Minimize insecticides or herbicides that would eliminate
natural turkey foods.

Allow landscaping to overgrow somewhat to be more secure
shelter for these large birds.

Provide a low stump or boulder for a guard perch so turkeys can watch for threats.

Keep pets indoors or closely supervised so they do not spook or harass turkeys.

Be prepared to host turkeys year-round, since they stay in
the same range every season.

(info from thespruce.com)