Could this be … the return of The West Seattle Turkey?

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Benjamin Chamberlain)

Thanks for the photos/tips! Turkey sightings north of The Junction has people wondering if this could be THE West Seattle Turkey – which hasn’t been seen around here in more than a year. The photo above was taken near 42nd/Andover on Friday; the one below, the same area, this morning:

(Photo by Claire Fitterer)

And this one is from 41st/Dakota, also this morning:

(Photo by Ian Lurie)

If you’re new – The West Seattle Turkey captivated the peninsula, working her way north from the southwest end of West Seattle starting in April 2019, eventually settling in the Admiral/Belvidere area, occasionally making forays away. Then she started heading back south again, crossing out of the city limits after this Seola sighting in April 2020. The last sighting of any kind mentioned to us was in south King County later that month. Her origins were never determined.

(Video by Claire Fitterer)
Could this be the same bird? Average lifespan of a wild turkey hen is reported to be about three years.

Chris Loeffler July 3, 2021 (2:46 pm)

She laid her weekly egg at our house this morning.

waikikigirl July 3, 2021 (4:36 pm)

Chris what are you doing with those eggs, or is she trying to hatch them?
linda July 6, 2021 (4:09 pm)

Saw the turkey walking down 42nd, 3900 block sidewalk, on July 5

CMC July 3, 2021 (2:51 pm)

Per her Twitter account, this also marks the return of Rep. Jayapal to our neck of the woods. Coincidence?!?! ;)

BRN July 3, 2021 (4:51 pm)

Yes please!

CAM July 3, 2021 (7:29 pm)

The inside scoop from some sources is this is potentially a turkey that lives with a local family but has gotten out.

WSB July 3, 2021 (8:11 pm)

Well, anyone with direct knowledge of this (better yet, the turkey-keeper her/himself) is welcome to contact us to clear that up. Certainly there’s a lot of residential fowlkeeping – we walk often past homes with ducks and chickens. And if it’s lost, we can put it on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page!
- Scott July 4, 2021 (7:32 am)
  
  I hope no fowl play is involved.

Matt P July 3, 2021 (11:12 pm)

She left for the winter and now has come back where she knows the good food is.

Bill July 4, 2021 (12:44 am)

Avoiding Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons!

Rick July 4, 2021 (8:56 am)

Like the guy on the radio said, “I shot my first turkey the other day and it scared the heck out of the folks in the frozen food section”.

Carrie Ann July 4, 2021 (6:22 pm)

Jolene (as we’ve taken the liberty of naming her) has been spending most of her time visiting all of us at the North end of 42nd & Andover these past couple days. She’s very sweet, just wants to munch on some grass and worms, and occasionally relax in the shade of our shrubbery. As far as I’m concerned, she’s always welcomed here!