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Wild Turkeys

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breathtaking majesty.

Some days on my way to school, I am lucky enough to see a bunch of turkeys bopping around on the side of the road. They are very cute and make me smile. Take that, Manhattan!

I was curious as to what a “flock” of turkeys is called, and so I found this handy dandy website:

“Benjamin Franklin wanted wild turkeys to be our national symbol instead of the bald eagle. He felt that the stately, majestic qualities of the wild turkey would make it a fine symbol for the new country.

“Most people are familiar with the term “flock of pigeons” and even “gaggle of geese,” but did you know that a group of turkeys is called a “rafter”? And baby turkeys are called poults.”

You can see a happy, safe rafter of turkeys at the South Park Nature Center in South Park, PA (about a 20 minute drive outside the city). The Nature Preserve also has pheasants, ruffled grouses (our state bird!), peacocks (which make the weirdest noises ever) deer, and … buffalo! That’s right, buffalo. You can attempt to feed the animals grass and seed without getting your hands pecked or bitten off. It’s pretty fun. The Center also has nature programs incorporating the trails, streams, and other resources of the park.

Check out other nature programs at Parks in Allegheny County here:
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks/2005/ncenter.asp

Hmm. I still haven’t found out why I only see turkeys in the fall. What are they doing during the rest of the year? Hiding? Mating? Sleeping? Any turkey experts in the audience?

Directions to the Center:

South Park Nature Center

From I-79:

1. Take exit 11 (Bridgeville) onto 50 N
2. Turn right on Bower Hill Road
3. Turn right (South) on 88 (Library Road)
4. Turn left on Corrigan Drive

The Nature Center is at Corrigan and Stone Mance Drive

From the North (19 South):

1. Take 19 S, turn left on Connor Rd
2. Turn right (South) on 88 (Library Road)
3. Turn left on Corrigan Drive

The Nature Center is at Corrigan and Stone Mance Drive

From the North (51 South):

1. Take 51 S, turn right (South) on 88 (Library Road)
2. Turn left on Corrigan Drive

The Nature Center is at Corrigan and Stone Manse Drive

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  • http://pghdatingblog.blogspot.com/ PghGuy

    While doing my daily lunch bike ride that takes me through campus and into Schenley I came across two huge turkeys near the pond a few days back. They wear in the middle of the trail and they weren't moving for nothing!

    The Nature Preserve in South Park is a neat place. Growing up in South Park, I visited that place quite often. I remember being chased down by some mean old geese though!