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2010 Winter Flock Survey Results

The goal of the Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey is to use DEC staff and volunteers to conduct a harvest-independent survey to help determine long-term trends in turkey populations and to provide information to the public regarding the prospects for the spring hunting season. The survey period ran from January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010 and was open to both DEC staff and the general public. Survey participants were instructed to record flock observations any time during the three-month survey period, but to report each flock observed only once.

We received 785 reports totaling about 13,200 birds (Table 1) from 50 of New York State's 62 counties (about 16 flocks reported/county, range 1-145/county). This is an increase of 15% from winter 2009, but there was a 10% decrease in the average number of birds per flock (19 in winter 2009 vs. 17 in winter 2010). Six of the 12 counties with no reported observations were Nassau County in western Long Island, and the five counties that comprise New York City. Lack of observations from these 12 counties is not necessarily indicative of turkey population size in these areas. Flock observations and the number of birds observed peaked during the third week of January, were relatively stable from the end of January through early March, and then declined as flocks broke up in mid to late March.

Overall, statewide temperatures and snowfall were close to long-term averages. January and February temperatures were close to normal, but March was about 6°F above normal. Snowfall was quite variable across the state. The New York City/Long Island area received snowfall totals well above normal, while most other regions were at or below normal even with the blizzard that dropped 5-6 feet of snow in some areas during late February. The average snow depth reported by survey participants was 7 inches, and the average temperature was 30°F.

The Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) aggregates with the highest turkey densities (birds/mi² of habitat, where "habitat" is defined as all wooded upland habitats, but does not include agriculture, developed areas, or open water) were the East Ontario Plain (2.6 birds/mi²) in northern New York, followed by the West Appalachian Hills (1.8 birds/mi²), Great Lakes Plain (1.5 birds/mi²), North Appalachian Plateau (1.0 birds/mi²), and Oneida Lake Plains (1.0 birds/mi²) in the western part of the state (Table 3, Figure 2). When flock observations are grouped by fall season zone, the highest turkey density was observed in the Appalachian Hills & Plateau (1.3 birds/mi²), followed by the Lake Plains (1.0 bird/mi²), St. Lawrence Valley (0.8 birds/mi²), East-Central NY (0.4 birds/mi²), Long Island (0.2 birds/mi²), and Adirondacks-Tug Hill (0.1 birds/mi²) season zones (Table 4).

Turkeys spent a disproportionate amount of time in agricultural habitats (pasture, hay, row crops) relative to the abundance of this habitat type on the landscape (Table 5). Human-created habitats such as lawns, backyards, parks, and golf courses also played an important role for winter turkey flocks, particularly in the Adirondacks-Tug Hill region. Some researchers feel these human-altered landscapes have allowed turkey populations to persist in areas such as the Adirondacks where historically they did not exist.

^a During the three-year pilot study (2005-06 - 2007-08) observations were compiled from December through March, annually, and observations of all flocks were accepted without regard to multiple reports of the same flock. During winters 2009 and 2010, the survey was conducted from January through March only, and survey participants were instructed to report each flock observed only once.

^a A map depicting DEC Regions is available here. DEC Region 2 includes all 5 boroughs of New York City. There were no reports received from this region during winter 2010.
^b Square miles of habitat includes wooded habitats, but does not include agriculture, open water, or developed areas (based on 2001 MRLC data).

^a Identification number applies to Figure 1 (see below).
^b Square miles of habitat includes wooded habitats, but does not include agriculture, open water, or developed areas (based on 2001 MRLC data).

^a Square miles of habitat includes wooded habitats, but does not include agriculture, open water, or developed areas (based on 2001 MRLC data).

Figure 1. Estimated density of wild turkeys (birds/habitat mi²) in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) Aggregates from the Winter Wild Turkey Flock Survey 2010. "High" (>1 bird/habitat mi²), "Medium" (0.50-0.99 birds/habitat mi²), and "Low" (<0.50 birds/habitat mi²) densities based on number of birds observed and estimates of habitat area within each WMU Aggregate. For WMU Aggregate names see "ID #" in Table 3. "Habitat" includes all wooded upland habitats, but does not include agricultural habitats, open water, or developed areas (based on 2001 MRLC data).