Game commission asking for public’s help in turkey survey

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking the public’s help in counting the number of turkeys living in the state’s woods and farmlands. The effort reflects a trend for naturalists and biologists to enlist the aid of “citizen scientists” to help wildlife survive and thrive.

Citizen scientists are ordinary people who are recruited to collect observations of the natural world. They are not technically trained, but are simply people interested in the natural world. In an age of tight funding for scientific research, these volunteer observers allow organizations like the game commission to conduct much larger projects than their budgets would allow otherwise.

Budgetary concerns aside, the input of citizen scientists produces a much more comprehensive and accurate survey of the subject being studied. The more data points collected, the easier it is for scientists to recognize patterns and piece together the big picture of the subject being studied.

“Thanks to the large sample size from all corners of the commonwealth, we have high confidence in the results,” said game commission turkey biologist Mary Joe Castalena.

She is hoping that even more citizens participate in this year’s survey.

From now through Aug. 31, the game commission is seeking the public’s help with the annual Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey. The data collected will help the commission to determine the size of the state’s wild turkey population and measure their reproductive success. By comparing results with earlier surveys, the game wardens will be able to gauge population trends of these magnificent birds over time.

Participating in the turkey count is easy. When you sight a turkey or even a single bird all that is required is to go to https://pgcdatacollection. pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey where you will find a form. The survey form will ask you to fill in the location, the day, the time and the number type of birds spotted.

The survey will ask for information on the age and sex of the birds. Fortunately with wild turkeys, this is not a difficult task. Male turkeys (gobblers or jakes), are easily distinguished from the hens because the males have a long string of feathers (beard) hanging from their chests. Immature turkeys (poults) are recognized by their smaller size and softer feathers. The state website has a link to a poster showing how to recognize each type of wild turkey.

Observers should only report turkeys in one particular location only once a week. For example, if you sight a flock of turkeys in your backyard daily and you report that flock on Saturday, you should wait to the following Saturday before reporting them again.

Not so long ago, wild turkey sightings were rare in the Mon Valley. Today, they are a common sight and represent one of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s great success stories. Participating in the annual turkey count is interesting, fun and makes a difference, organizers said.

Local citizen scientists can help the game commission get an accurate picture of the area’s bronze-feathered Mon Valley neighbors.