A couple of weeks ago I had an email from a reader who lives in the 4400 block of McPherson asking if I had any ideas for spring planting, since the wild turkeys that have occupied so many of my recent posts had eaten the blossoms right off her pansies and violas, and attacked her ornamental cabbages. The reader continued: "I am already daydreaming about what I want to plant this spring, but not as turkey food. Any thoughts??" She also asked if I knew whether turkeys migrate. Read on….
At about the same time I heard that "our" turkeys had returned to Westmoreland and Portland Places (see photo above), where, unbeknownst to me, they had actually hatched, i.e., I guess that makes them native CWEnders! Apparently, according to my source, they have returned "home" from the "east side" (of Kingshighway) with a little attitude, described as being more assertive and somewhat sassy. Perhaps it was the exposure to the Euclid nightlife.
The question is, how do we live with turkeys in our midst? (I suspect that question alone will evoke some comments, having nothing at all to do with the birds.) Any thoughts?
Yes, they’ll definitely come back when they’re older, hipper turkeys.
Mary: Great idea…have you noticed that sometimes those children move back?
There’s a wildlife preserve on Litzinger Road in Ladue that is crawling with turkeys. Maybe the CWE turkeys could be persuaded to move, especially now that they’ve had children—- isn’t that usually what happens?….
I’m quite new to the St. Louis area, and love the CWE. I was delighted to find your blog! Can’t wait to find a new favorite spot there.