Talking turkey in and around Manor Park

Wild birds part of local neighbourhood landscape for years now

I doubt there is anyone residing in Manor Park — or indeed, the surrounding areas — who have not seen or encountered the wild turkeys who make their home mostly in the Beechwood Cemetery woods.  

The turkeys have been part of our neighbourhood landscape for some years now and seem to be thriving in their habitat. 

As a resident of Hemlock Road, it is quite common to see traffic stopped both ways as the turkeys make their way across the street to or from the cemetery. Recently, we had four of these large fowl in our maple and crab apple trees. That was quite a sight!

In the fall, two signs cautioned drivers to watch for turkeys crossing the road. The signs are bright orange with large print and have done an admirable job of safeguarding the turkeys from vehicular traffic. The turkeys thank whoever created and posted these signs.

Below are some fun answers to the question:  “Why did the wild turkey(s) cross the road?”

• To prove they weren’t chicken(s).

• To show they had guts. (Not with on Hemlock Road thanks to the posted signs!)

• Because it was the chicken’s day off.

• To get away from the gravy train.

• They heard the food was better on the other side.

• To shake their tail feathers. (An impressive sight).