Chronology of Autumn Turkey Vulture Movement at Valentine

Turkey Vultures are a common summer resident in the vicinity of north Valentine, and the number present increases as fall migration occurs. By mid-summer of 2017, there were more than 100 that would congregate in tree snags at the western extent of Government Pond, immediately west of the Valentine Fish Hatchery.

From mid-September through early October, once the vultures left the roost in the morning, a group of them would soar westerly along the ridge of the Minnechaduza Creek valley. With their regular occurrence, several days were spent recording how many vultures were seen and the time of their occurrence. Details were also occasionally kept on local weather conditions, notably temperature, wind speed and its direction.

Information was derived from 88 records of observation as designated to a particular 15-minute period of time (i.e., all records between 10:30 to 10:44 within period for 10:30) for the same vantage point a bit more than one mile westward of the vulture night roost. Birds were denoted when they passed a particular line of demarcation of the landscape. A few of the records were associated with the nearby Valentine Mill Pond and the city of Valentine.

Regarding general bird movement, for most of the morning observations the vultures were going westerly. Those associated with late day times were going easterly, likely returning to the roost site.

In general, vultures would not occur until after 9 a.m. When there were windy conditions early in the morning, there would be vultures earlier than on calm days. If there had any precipitation or extensive dew, the vultures would also be seen flying at a later time.

These are a couple of examples of details associated with sightings of a greater number of vultures on a particular morning:

• 09/27/2017: one soaring westerly at 1004
  
• one soaring westerly at 1009
  
• three soaring westerly at 1012
  
• two soaring westerly at 1024
  
• one soaring easterly at 1042; a bird returning easterly was not typical for the morning observations
  
• one seen at 1110; calm winds with a few wispy clouds; temp at 59o
  
• one at 1141 soaring above in slight winds less than 5 mph
  

Since an overall tally for a period of time was not determined, the difference in birds going westerly or easterly does not influence the extent of overall occurrence numbers as that particular detail was not determined.

• 09/29/2017: ten in an obvious bunch moving westward above the pine-clad ridge; northeast wind at 6 mph, temp 54o and partly cloudy; the ten occurred at ten at 1004 and then another one at 1008 a.m.
  

Later in the day, there was a flock of 27 seen at the North Park Ridge, a prairie area just to the north of the roost site. Notations indicate: at 1640, soaring above the hills with some others above the heart city; what a magnificent sight; sunset near 7:30 p.m.

This is an example of a sightings on the morning of October 1^st:

• three at 9:45
  
• one at 0950
  
• three at 9:54; going westerly; at 10 a.m. 62o, winds ssw at 12 mph with gusts up to 18 mph
  
• six soaring about above the ridge at 1008
  
• one at 1010
  
• one at 1012
  
• two at 1017
  
• two at 1020
  

The records kept indicate that the vultures set flight and were moving in small groups and from 915 to 1045 a.m.

Daytime Chronology of Turkey Vultures at the North Lake Shore Hills and Valentine

Time of Day	9/17	9/19	9/20	9/21	9/22	9/24	9/26	9/27	9/28	9/29	10/1	10/3	10/4
815	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-
900	-	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
915	-	7	-	12	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-
930	-	6	-	5	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-
945	-	5	-	2	-	-	2	-	-	6	8	-	-
1000	-	1	5	3	-	1	1	5	2	11	8	-	-
1015	-	-	-	3	-	-	-	2	2	-	4	-	1
1030	1	1	1	2	-	-	-	1	13	4	-	-	-
1045	4	3	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1100	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	1
1130	-	-	-	-	-	-	8	1	-	-	-	-	-
1300	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1330	5	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1430	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
1600	-	-	-	10	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-
1615	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1
1630	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	27	-	-	-
1645	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
1700	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	3	-	-	-	-	-
1730	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-
1815	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
1830	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-
1915	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

With only a relatively lesser percentage of the vultures noted going westerly along the Minnechaduza valley ridge, obviously many of the vultures went elsewhere. On occasion they could be seen going southwesterly. The destination for others is not known.

If there was one mystery for the breeding season occurrence of a few vultures and then the migratory season congregation, what did they eat? The carcass of a fox was placed at a spot visible to the soaring vultures, but it was never even visited.

Most of the roost trees used by the vultures are pine tree snags that are the result of a wild fire in 2012. The extent of these trees has decreased through the years as the trees rot and eventually fall to the ground. Eventually the snag trees now present will be gone so the vultures will have to find an alternative roosting site.

Details of Autumn Turkey Vulture Season at Valentine

There are no more Turkey Vultures floating above the ridge of Minnechaduza Creek. After a season of presence, these birds have flown south. During their time in the area, they could be easily seen floating upon air currents, especially north of the creek valley during their daily search for sustenance.

First noted during late August this year, there were a few seen, usually coursing westward in the morning. Counts were in the single digits unless some time was taken to watch them float amidst the skies.

Early in September, a fine number – 16 – were seen at the Bluebird Shack north of Valentine.

By the end of the month, there were 40 counted going to the westward along the creek valley. It is always a mystery how they find the carrion needed to survive! Their majesty of floating is supreme, as they are only occasionally seen actually flapping their wings rather than soaring along.

Three days later, on October 1st, there were 48 noted during a focused watch. After this interlude, an additional ten birds were soaring to the east at the Water Tower Ridge. The entire group of 58 certainly included migratory vultures that had arrived.

Notes were kept on their transition on this cloudy morning. The first vulture was seen at 7 a.m., even before the sun was above the eastern horizon. Thirty minutes later there were five more of these buzzards in the sky northward of the shack.

What followed was an indication of these birds’ flight from one vantage point:

* 12 at 7:50 a.m.

* then 2, plus 3 more to the west

* five east at 8:05

* 21 west at 8:15

* some going east and some west during the interlude

* a dozen floating westward about 8:40

* then another number, most going westerly, until at 8:50 a.m. there was another dozen making their way to elsewhere along the Minnechaduza

On the first day of October, besides the transitional birds, another ten were seen near the water tanks of Valentine. With three Red-tailed Hawks also present, some time watching these birds float on unseen currents was a time of appreciation of flight and how these feathery birds are masters of the air. They are masters of the air, with their wings going to and fro in flight.

No vultures were seen during a two hour watch on Monday, October 5th.

These masters of floating in the sky were seen prominently on October 6th, when 16 were amidst the skyscape of Water Tower Ridge.

During the evening on the 9th, there were nine towards the southern ridge, that being above the fresh waters of the Valentine Mill Pond.

There was an apparent tragedy apparent mid-morning on the 15th. A juvenile was running along the north side of Lake Shore Drive, which is along the north side of the Mill Pond, on the northern side of Valentine. Its right wing was broken, and flight was not possible. The bird was beneath the utility line which is along the thoroughfare. It ran away, going uphill, after first hiding among the shrubbery to avoid what it perceived as a predator. There can be an obvious connection between the lines and a broken wing, the context being an inflight collision.

The last significant number of vultures was on the 13th, when there were still 16 lingering above the trees at the Ward Place, Valentine.

On the 16th was when the last soaring Turkey Vulture was seen, once again floating along the pine-clad ridge of Minnechaduza Creek. It was distinctive against a cerulean blue.

Their seasonal arrival in the spring 2016 will be indicative, and appreciated as a significant aspect of the yearly chronology of avifauna at the river city vicinity.

Return of a Pilgrim Turkey Vulture

During the summer of 1870, Col. S.T. Sult, of Sultsville, Prince George's county, Maryland, a few miles below Washington, D.C., as considerably annoyed by thieving hen hawks making raids upon his chickens. Desiring to put an end to their too friendly and frequent visits, the colonel placed a large pole in his yard and fixed upon its top a steel trap, which he baited with a dead chicken. No hawk put in an appearance, but the colonel was greatly surprised one morning to find in the trap a large Turkey buzzard — a bird protected by law in Maryland from the gun of the sportsman. The suggestion was made that the bird be marked in some manner and again set at liberty. Acting on this suggestion, a good sized old-fashioned sleigh bell was procured and fastened about its neck with wire, and after a christening the bird "Maryland," it was again given its freedom. Nothing more was thought of the matter until last Sabbath, when the good people of that quiet neighborhood were startled from their noonday devotion by hearing "music in the air." A glance upward plainly revealed the cause of all the commotion, for circling far above their heads was the long-lost "Pilgrim" of eight years absence, returning to visit its old haunts, with the bell still attached to its neck. How far the bell and bird have traveled since its liberation eight years ago, is the subject of much conjecture among the farmers of that neighborhood who remember the occurrence. Colonel Sult says he reckons many poor darkey has been nearly scared out of his wits by the bird as it passed over Southern towns with the bell ringing, making those poor creatures think that the Judgement Day and Gabriel with is horn were near at hand.

For the above facts I am under obligations to my friend William M. King, a farmer living in the vicinity, who witnessed its return last Sunday, from his house. For his veracity and truthfulness, I can heartily vouch.

Sam.

October 18, 1878. Return of a pilgrim. Hudson Evening Register 13(124): 3.

Return of a Pilgrim

During the summer of 1870, Col. S.T. Suit, of Sulteville, Prince George's county, Maryland, a few miles below Washington, D.C., was considerably annoyed by thieving hen hawks making raids upon his chickens. Desiring to put an end to their too friendly and frequent visits, the colonel placed a large pole in his yard and fixed upon its top a steel trap, which he baited with a dead chicken. No hawk put in an appearance, but the colonel was greatly surprised one morning to find in the trap a large Turkey buzzard — a bird protected by law in Maryland from the gun of the sportsman. The suggestion was made that the bird be marked in some manner and again set at liberty. Acting on the suggestion, a good-sized old-fashioned sleigh bell was procured and fastened about its neck with wire, and after christening the bird "Maryland," was again given its freedom. Nothing more was thought of the matter until last Sabbath, when the good people of that quiet neighborhood were startled from their noon-day devotions by hearing "music in the air." A glance upward plainly revealed the cause of all the commotion, for circling far above their heads was the long-lost "Pilgrim" of eight years absence, returning to visit its old haunts, with the bell still attached to its neck. How far the bell and bird have traveled since its liberation eight years ago, is the subject of many conjectures among the farmers of that neighborhood who remember the occurrence. Colonel Suit says he reckons many poor darkey has been nearly scared out of his wits by the bird as it passed over Southern towns with the bell ringing, making these poor creatures think that the Judgment Day and Gabriel with his horn were near at hand.

For the above facts I am under obligation to my friend William M. King, a farmer living in the vicinity, who witnessed its return last Sunday, from his house. For his veracity and truthfulness, I can heartily vouch.       Sam.

October 18, 1878. Hudson Evening Register 13(124): 3.

Turkey Vulture Season of Central Omaha

Date	Fairacres	UNOmaha Campus communications tower
03/15	4	-
05/02	7	-
05/20	12	-
06/17	18	20
06/28	-	67
07/07	-	39
07/08	-	77
07/11	-	11
07/13	-	66
07/14	-	47
07/15	-	44
07/20	-	22
07/22	-	47
07/23	-	6
07/25	-	49
07/28	-	59
07/29	-	44
08/01	-	71
08/04	-	57
08/09	-	79
08/12	-	5
08/15	-	68
08/18	-	109
08/19	-	93
08/23	-	26
08/24	-	33
08/26	-	63
08/27	-	53
08/28	-	23
08/29	-	53
09/01	-	54
09/02	-	1
09/03	29	37
09/06	58	-
09/08	-	76
09/14	44	9
09/19	27	-
10/10	-	22
10/11	-	43
10/12	-	43

During their distinctive season in 2011, various Turkey Vulture selected an Omaha spot as their preferred place within the totally urban scape of Omaha. The occurrence is significant because of the attention they had and the distinct conveyance of their times, which can be known as a chronicle of the year due to attention and a worthy consideration.

Their occurrence was first noted in mid-March and their prominent presence continued unabated until their autumn departure. There may have been no one watching, but the vultures did not care. They arrived in the evening to sit on the tower. Then left to a more sheltered roost in the coniferous trees in the Fairacres neighborhood a few blocks to the north. Then returned to the tower in the morning, when it was suitable for them, and eventually flew elsewhere in an unending cycle of the 2011 season.

The first observations of record for this year were for the neighborhood where they found a suitable haven for the night. By June, the vulturian preference was obvious. Spend the night in the neighborhood, whilst taking advantage of the big tower at the university campus. The metallic construct was instrumental in their routine. Be there in the morning and arrive there in the late evening.

This was the routine during seven months, based upon personal observations carefully kept and considered, as known by more than forty documented instances where numbers and location were written on a bit of white paper, using a pencil. Each account was a bit of a blurb to accompany pictures which have already been presented on an occasional basis of some significance.

The birds were basically indifferent to whatever else was happening in their immediate realm. Some few people on campus knew about the presence of the birds at the tower. On an occasion or two whilst focusing on the tower gathering, a comment or two was thrown out by a passerby, typically a university employee. Views of the homeowners are not known, but they had to know about the may big birds that arrived late each evening, spent the night and then departed in the morning, to go elsewhere during the day.

Weather had an obvious influence on the counts derived from the communications tower on campus. If it was raining, birds lingered longer — due to wet feathers — upon the metallic supports were they would roost for some time. During foggy conditions, their departure to float and soar above the land to find something edible, would also be delayed. A couple of times, they would continue to be seen during the time which, in a humanistic sense, was noon hour.

The birds take advantage of the tower to ease them along their way. If they sit upon an upper portion of the tower in the evening, when it comes time to get along to the arboreal roost, they might be able to glide the entire distance. In the morning, the direct sunlight of the tower on the hill, suits any need to dry the feathers and warm the blood to get a days float underway.

The situation was obviously suitable in various sorts for vultures. Little or no disturbance occurs to make them go elsewhere to find a suitable place. Though there is little or nothing for them to scavenge on within the urban environs, so they float away each day to hopefully find sustenance elsewhere.

Numbers present changed during the months. Later in the season, a larger number were present, with some of them obviously young which had been carefully raised somewhere else in the region. Their breeding haunts were a secret, but the successful results were obvious.

The number of vultures present at this gathering is unique in the ornithological record for Nebraska. There has never been a larger number of the magnanimous vultures recorded on a continual basis at the same locale, in the historic annals available.

Their particular roost site in the Fairacres neighborhood has changed since a congregation of these birds was first noticed in 2009. The site they prefer has moved a short distance west and slightly south.

Hopefully next year, the Turkey Vultures will occur once again, and look down upon the cityscape as they follow their unending cycles of the seasons along the Missouri River valley.

 

Turkey Vulture congregation in the morning on the communications tower, October 11, 2011.

Vulture Campus Gathering

Turkey vultures continue to gather at their midtown roost. A peak in the numbers was noted on 9 August, and it was also a fine morning to get a picture of the birds drying their feathers and waiting for thermals so they could be on their way for the day.

Vultures Roost Midtown Omaha Tower

Turkey Vultures have been roosting on a regular basis on a communications tower in midtown Omaha. They are especially prevalent in the early morning. Variable numbers have been occurring, with the greatest number, 77 near the end of June.

Numbers have been recorded and will be presented in a later analysis.