Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: Dr. John on May 19, 2008, 05:47:40 PM

Title: How far north do turkey vultures go?
Post by: Dr. John on May 19, 2008, 05:47:40 PM

I was up in New Liskeard this weekend, which is about 150 km north of North Bay, and I saw several turkey vultures there. Just how far north do they range?

-John

Title:
Post by: BIGFRANK on May 19, 2008, 06:40:17 PM

A Longpoint Bird Observatory article I had handy(amazing how one can find a small newsletter in a stack of papers),says the TVs "breeding range started to expand dramatically northward in the 1920s"  Further,though not noting where the northern expansion has occured to it does say that in Ontario according to the breeding bird atlas(article is from fall 2005 so most recent survey results will differ),the range has expanded 200kms in the past 20 years. They attribute this to several factors including,increased road network(more road kills),climate moderation and more open habitat as a result of agricultural expansion. Trends from breeding bird surveys from 1966-2004 show an increase in Canada of 15%. Intersting I think even if it doesnt answer your question. Would the recently released Breeding Bird Survey contain the information? Surely someone who posts here must have the book.

Title:
Post by: moratorian on May 19, 2008, 06:51:06 PM

I just happen to have the book here. It shows confirmed breeding up into the Lake of the Woods area and probable breeding
as far north as Red Lake.

Mike

Title: Turkey Vultures and their range
Post by: Napper on May 19, 2008, 09:18:50 PM

Hey!

I will attest to that!

My Family visit Atikokan every summer..  Turkey Vultures are everywhere!! especially at the dumps..  (they have fish carcass disposal areas)
 
You will also see Bald Eagles at dumps because of this as well..

Atikokan is 160 km, West of Thunder Bay along hwy 11.  Fort Frances is about 2 hours further West..

I never thought about it much, this year I'll have a closer look.. We pass thru Cochrane, Kap and Hearst on our route  (really up there)

Napper :D

1630 km trip one way

Title:
Post by: Pat Hodgson on May 20, 2008, 10:37:26 AM

quite far north, and more so as you get farther west, even past where there are roads
I saw one on the road to Pickle Lake in 2005
http://www.birdsontario.org/atlas/maps.jsp?lang=en

Title:
Post by: Dr. John on May 20, 2008, 07:09:55 PM

Thanks for the replies. That's a lot farther north than I was expecting!

-John