LONG ISLAND’S RAIL PATH IN LATE OCTOBER 2024

 Late October has been warm, dry and sunny here on Long Island’s north shore. Perhaps this weather pattern is a result of an early “La Nina”.  The result of cool Pacific water pooling up off the coast of Ecuador.  The cool ocean water displaces the flow pattern of the Mid-Latitude Jet Stream to the north bringing warmer weather to the NE in winter. Recently the MLJS has been streaking across the sky at about 10km (6 miles, 33,000 ft) tracking north of us above southern Canada.

For whatever reason, the sky today is deep blue with lovely white puffy cumuli. These form each day as sea born southwesterly winds carry moist air over our sun warmed island. The rising air condenses its moisture which drifts like majestic white airy sculptures, altering shapes as they flow gently overhead.  Below, vibrant red, gold, orange and chestnut-brown foliage contrasts with the blue sky, making a stroll along  Brookhaven Town’s Rail Path a pleasant and colorful excursion on this late October day.

On this colorful day I share the Rail Path walk with a hen turkey and her flock which emerged clucking happily from the brushy growth and adjoining woodlands through which this former railroad ROW path courses. This hen had taken up residence on this section of Path two years ago. I have been observing her regularly over that period. She had eight poults early in the year (See “Attack By A Hen Turkey”).  Today her surviving four poults are now almost full grown. One can only identify “mom” by the fact that she leads the flock and the youngsters follow her. They exploit the grassy margins of the path pecking the remnant seed heads of Timothy grass then quietly disappear into the woods.  

Today October 23, 2024, after a few weeks of cool nights and warm very dry days there are few flowering plants to identify. But those that do persist in flowering so late in the season are a notable few. On the south side of the path at the base of a tall clump of still green Giant Knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis?)  I observed a place where several small ivory-white flowers, each with a hairy bulbous base stood out sharply among the shadowy green and dry brown grasses around them. These are the lovely White Campion (Silene latifolia) which often persists flowering into late fall. 

Further east a few Chicory (Chicorium intybus) plants with their cornflower-blue ray flowers grew along the path margin. These plants, much reduced by the mower’s blade, somehow survived that event  to persist and add a singular contrasting azure to an otherwise dull brown, red and yellow landscape. (I thought about their roots too, my grandpa and I would dig them up in late summer.  He would dry them, then roast them with coffee beans to prepare his favorite morning brew).  Further on, a late flowering vine of Japanese Honey suckle (Lonisera sp ), with light goldenrod yellow blooms from which protruded characteristic long, arched stamens. As children my sister and I pulled those long thin stamens to suck the sweet nectar of clinging to the stamen ends of this fragrant sturdy vine. It was among the few species other than moss and lichens which grew in our urban back garden. 

In another place, the aptly named “Butter and Eggs” a  yolk-orange and butter-yellow member of the snapdragon family (Linaria vulgaris) survived  with its gray-green leaves and stems by growing just beyond the reach of the mower blades.  But closer to the asphalt path a chopped down, ferny remnant of Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) was not so fortunate. Yet it somehow managed to produce (though not to normal size) its characteristic flat, white, compound umbel flower with its typical “dried blood drop” center spot. Not far away, a White Bindweed vine its arrow shaped leaves and tendrils climbed the knobby stems of the Giant Knotweed patch. There, a single,  lonely and barely opened  flower of White Bindweed (Calysegia sepium) bloomed about six feet above ground.  The last one of the many white flowers of the this same vine which, only a few short weeks ago, had graced the dull green of  Knotweed banks. These above were it seemed the last flowers of the 2024 season. 

But this day was not for end of season flower species, but for magnificent fall colors. 

The Rail Path’s two dominant species are the dull, gray-green-leafed Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) a low bushy tree, and the invasive weed which grows to ten to fifteen foot tall, the dark green leafed Giant Knotweed.  At this date both of these species remain determinately green with only a few yellowing leaves. But they represent the canvas upon which the vibrant colors of many other local species make their seasonal appeal to the eye. 

The magnificent lemon yellow (or gold) of a mature Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa ? ) which rises here well above 100 feet. (But not far away the look-alike Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) remains a dull green at this date. The greenish yellow Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) which hides away all summer nearly invisible among all that is green, stands out in fall when loses it leaves and takes on it yellow coat well before the other species.  Here too we find the (Ailanthus altissima) turned a grayish yellow and burdened with large clumps of numerous light brown samara-type seeds. These swriling fliers help to disperse this invasive tree. (It is noteworthy too that A. altissima is also the host of the troubling Japaneses Lantern Fly (Lycorma delicatula) of which I have observed four spotted and colorful specimens along this one mile path during this 2024 season— and dutifully stomped them out.). 

The low growing trees or bushes of Winged Sumac  (Rhus copalina), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra), Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) all turn a firebrick red in fall. While the tall Black Oak (Quercus velutina) turns a chocolate brown, and the Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea) true to its name turns a maroon or dark red color. This is true for the common Red Maple (Acer rubrum  )also true to its appelation turns a striking bright red and yellow. 

The vines of greenish-yellow Japanese Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) encase and entangle many trees along the Path. The vines produce bright yellow berries which when ripe, peel back a bright yellow three part seed coat to reveal a bright scarlet twinned berry within. The vines eventually loose their leaves but the colorful red and yellow berries remain.  These are often cut for fall and winter season indoor displays. 

The Fox Grape (Vitis sp ) turn a greenish yellow, while Virginia Creeper the five leafed climbing vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) turns a bright scarlet. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) adds a mix of yellow and dark green. Escapes from suburban gardens, often found growing beneath powerlines where birds roost such as the flowering Pear ( Pyrus sp domesticated) turn from dark green to magenta in this season. Many of these flowering fruit trees  (cherries and apples too) retain their tiny inedible hard fruits, but which hungry Blue Jays,Cardinals, and many other species will exploit for survival food. 

So don’t pass by too rapidly on the Rail Path in fall (or any other season) there is more to see here than a straight asphalt exercise route. 

OSPREY (PANDION) CHOOSE TO NEST ON STEEL PYLONS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY

 

August 18, 2024

In recent weeks I have observed a pair of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus ) nesting at the top of a 36 meter (118 ft) steel, single-pole electric transmission pylon just west of Peachtree Lane at: 40. 56. 21 N, 73.00.35 W in Brookhaven, Township, near the village of Mount Sinai, on Long Island in New York’s Suffolk County.  The pylon nest site is well away from surface bodies of water such as ponds, marshes or the marine environment. Long Island Sound is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the nest. The only significant fresh water ponds are located in a golf club about two mies from the nest site. The Peach Tree Road nest site is about 2 miles due south of the Long Island Sound shore, and two miles (3.2 km) from Mount Sinai Harbor. It is also about four (4) miles from Port Jefferson Harbor which is located to the northwest. 

 The question this author asked was where were these inveterate piscivorous “fish hawks’ exploiting fish upon which they depend for 99% of their diet?  Or were they exploiting in part the small mammals such as woodchucks, marmots, field mice and cotton tailed rabbits which were all very common along the transmission line right-of-way clearings just below their nest? Or have they found adequate source's of fish? How far away did they have to fly to feed? Were they successful? 

Several examinations of the area below the 118 foot high nest revealed only fish remains which were dropped or fell from the nest above.  This author observed fragments and parts of fish bodies, such as gill covers, fish vertebral bone and ventral fins of small bony fish. The species of these scant piscine remains were not apparent.  

How far away from potential fishing sites? 

The Peachtree Lane nest site is located on the North Shore of Long Island about 1.8 miles from the center of Mount Sinai Harbor, a body of water of about 500 acres in area which is confluent with Long Island Sound about two miles (2 miles 3.2 km) to the northwest of the nest site. There are two active Osprey nest sites at the Harbor. 

Potential Fishing Sites Inland.

A number of fresh water man-made ponds are located to the southeast of the nest site or inland. Twelve of these small ponds ( estimated average size about 360 ft x 170 ft or @ 1.4 acres surface area ) are located within the bounds of the Willow Creek Country Club golf course, situated to the southeast of the nest site. The center of the Club is about two (2) miles south-southeast of the nest site. The farthest pond in this group is 1.6 miles distant while the closest is about 4,200 ft ( 0.79 miles) from the nest site. The largest pond has an area of 800 x 100 ft (1.8 acres surface area). There may be a total pond surface area in this area of about 16-17 acres at the Willow Creek Club located  about two miles (as the crow flies) from the Peach Tree Road pylon nest site 

Other than these, a solitary small pond about 1+/- acres in area (also man-made) is located just 3,500 feet (0.7 miles) due south of the nest site. 

Two gravel extraction companies are active southeast of the nest site. One of them (with no name) is located just west of Yaphank-Miller Place Road at 2.9 miles distant fro pylon site. 

While the Roanoke Gravel and Sand Pit pond is 4.5 miles southeast of the nest site. This body of water has an estimated 113 acres of surface area. 

Conclusion: 

Though the Peachtree Lane nest site is not situated on the shore of a marine embayment or of a lake, the distance to such bodies of water are relatively short. A number of small fresh water ponds occur at 3.2 km away with about 16-20 acres of total surface area. At the same 2 mile (3.2 km) distance lies the expansive Long Island Sound, which is confluent with shallow water marine bays and harbors with large areas of surface water at similar distances.  Thus the nest site seems sited in a location which provides easy access to both fresh or marine exploitation areas for Osprey at almost equal distances away. 

The 118 foot high transmission line pylon provides a structurally sound base for a bulky heavy nest and its height and metal surface provides almost absolute security from terrestrial predators. To protect the power lines from damage from growing trees the surroundings are clear cut of trees by the L.I.utility company. This tends to provides unfettered flying space around the nest as well as security from avian predators such as crows and other raptors.  Osprey may prioritize the location of a nest sites for its security from predators and its structural soundness over the distance to its fishing sites. 

While boating in Mount Sinai Harbor this author observed an osprey flying directly over head carrying a small fish in its talons. I assumed it was one of the two pairs nesting on the shore at the Harbor. The fish hawk appeared to be returning to its nest site with its prey.  As it passed over-head, a second large black bird with prominent white head appeared flying close behind the hawk. The American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) seemed to make an attempt to force the fish hawk to release its hard won prey (a small fish about the size of a sea perch, cunner or bergall). The osprey twisted and turned in the air, but encumbered with the fish held head-first in its talons, failed to out pace or out-maneuver the larger bird. Finally, perhaps to get away, it dropped the fish into the bay, where it dissapeared below the surface. The eagle swooped down over the location, but abandoned the chase and flew off in one direction, while the osprey flew in another..but with no fish. 

Note: On this date the author observed the response of the (assumed male?) Osprey at the Peachtree Lane  Nest to the presence of a Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). The Ospreys ignored the presence of the hawk while it perched on an adjoining pylon about 100 meters (328 feet) away.  When the hawk flew off its perch, it passed within a 50 meter radius of the nest, the smaller Osprey, then took off in pursuit. The hawk descended quickly and flew into the forest canopy presumably to escape.

Addendum: On August 29, 2024 I observed the Peachtree Lane nest site again. The nest atop the pylon appeared to be deserted. I searched the grassy area around the base of the pylon where I observed several dried gill covers of what appeared to be clupeiform (herring like) fish and the dried head of what appeared to be a Bunker or Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus). This seems to confirm that the Osprey were fishing in Long Island Sound or Mount Sinai Harbor about two miles away. 

SCIENCE BEHIND AN AIR TRAGEDY IN SAO PAULO, BRAZIL AUGUST 9, 2024

 An air tragedy in Brazil, wing icing in the tropics, supercooled droplets, Bernoulli effect, airfoils and Newton’s Third Law. 

August 10, 2024 Sao Paulo, Brazil

On Friday afternoon, August 9, 2024 a VoePass  ATR 72-500 aircraft, with 62 passengers and crew on board crashed just 45 miles short of its destination in the City of Vinhedo, while on its way to Sao Paulo City’s  International Airport at Guarulhos, Brazil. Sadly there were no survivors.  The ATR 72-500 turbo prop plane was manufactured in Europe by a ATR, a French-Italian consortium of the Airbus and Leonardo firms. Since the early 1990s this plane has had 15 air crash incidents with almost 500 fatalities. A similar plane, an ATR 72-200 crashed in 1994, in Roselawn, Indiana in which the probable cause was icing of wings. The crash caused 68 fatalities. A US Federal Aviation Agency investigation concluded with a warning to pilots not to use autopilot in icing conditions when flying these planes. 

This VoePass ATR 72 was on a domestic flight from Parana State to Sao Paulo City with 62 passengers and crew on board, when at 11.21 PM the flight, cruising at 19,000 feet, began losing altitude over Vinhedo City about 45miles NNW of Sao Paulo City. The plane dropped 250 feet in 10 seconds, then climbed back up 400 feet in 8 seconds. Seconds later it lost 2000 feet and then it began a rapid spiraling downward fall, dropping 17,000 feet in one minute. It crashed and burned among houses in the City of Vinhedo. No local residents were hurt as the plane plummeted to the ground in a clear area among homes and burst into flames. 

Video photographs published by onlookers on the ground show the intact ATR turboprop, falling, with no horizontal speed, plunging almost straight down. The video is frightening to watch since it is clear that the plane had lost all ability to fly and was in an uncontrolled deadly death spiral to the ground.  The plane provided no visible reason to fall, it appeared unaltered, there were no flames or smoke, the wings, tail and body were intact.  The ATR 72 was simply plunging straight down like a huge piece of silvery metal.

What could have caused such a crash?  

It is winter in Brazil which is in the southern hemisphere. Though Sao Paulo and Vinhedo are located in a tropical-temperate zone, at about 23 deg south latitude, close to the Tropic of Capricorn, winter is relatively mild there. (Sao Paulo is far south of the equator as semi tropical Tampico, Mexico is north of the equator.) Average southern hemisphere “winter” temperatures for August in Sao Paulo range from 60-70 degrees F during mid day.  

Since for the most part, air is heated from the bottom up, not by the sun’s rays passing through air, but indirectly by the sun heating the earth, and then the warmed earth transferring that heat to the air. For this “bottom up heating” reason the air cools at a regular rate at higher elevations. The Normal Lapse Rate is average rate at which the air temperatures drop when measured from the ground upward. That rate is about 3.5 F per 1000 feet. 

Yesterday, (Friday, August 9, 2024) mid-day temperatures on the ground at Vinhedo were about 70F.   But the air temperature at 19,000 feet was much cooler. Using the Normal Lapse Rate to calculate the approximate temperature at the ATR 72”s cruising height indicates that the air temperature aloft where the VoePass airliner was flying was probably around 4.5F.*  

Thus where the ATR 72 was cruising the air temperature at 4.5 F was well below freezing (at 32F).  Clouds at this level often contain moisture in the form of ice crystals, and water droplets which have been cooled below freezing but remain in the liquid state, these tiny liquid drops are called “supercooled water droplets”. These tiny drops of water  less than 0.05mm in diameter, are so small that even at temperatures well below freezing (32F) they simply can not organize their relatively small number of water molecules within the drop into the typical ice crystal lattice.  So they remain in the liquid state.  However, if they come in contact with a solid surface, an ice crystal, dust, or pollen particles which may act as nuclei of crystallization, they freeze instantly. 

When the leading edge of an airplane wing flies through such a cloud with supercooled water droplets,  the drops freeze instantly to the plane wing, tail, sensors like pitots, antennae and other parts.  This ice—called “rime ice”—is heavy and adds weight to the plane but it is most dangerous on the wings where it can interfere with lift.

As you would expect, the wing is what permits the plane to rise up off the ground and also provides the  “lift”which keeps the plane aloft.  The process is complex and probably not fully understood, but in simple terms we can think of the wing as an “air foil” with a cross sectional shape characterized by a flat undersurface and a slightly rounded or cambered upper surface. The wing functions as an airfoil (to create lift) only when it is moving forward through the air. In simple terms, the air flows smoothly over the top and bottom of the wing in cross section. The flow of air over the top surface is forced to speed up as it traverses the curved surface (a longer distance). It is this more rapid flow which creates lift. The Bernoulli Principle states that the pressure of a fluid in motion is inversely proportional the speed of the flow. Thus the pressure above the wing (air foil) is lower on the upper, curved, cambered surface than that of the bottom flat surface where pressure remains unaltered.  Imagine  “stretched out” or lower density molecules generating a zone of lower pressure along the upper wing surface.  This does not occur on the undersurface where pressure remains at its original higher level of pressure. 

As a result, the moving  aeroplane wing generates a region of lower pressure all along its upper surface.The longer the wing the more lift it can develop.  In a definitely non-scientific sense, the wing can be imagined as being “sucked” upward* by the air flowing smoothly over the upper cambered surface.  As long as the air can flow smoothly in streamline flow over that surface the wing provides lift (or is “sucked” upward ) and this disparity in pressure helps to keep the plane aloft.  (It is noteworthy that the angle of attack of the wing also creates lift. The angled upward wing tends to direct air downward creating a force (Newton’s Third (equal and opposite) Law) that pushes wings upward).  

Thus it is clear that any disturbance to this smooth air flow or “streamline flow” over the upper cambered wing surface,  such as turbulence caused by rime ice, can reduce the speed of the flow and destroy the Bernoulli (“suction”) effect of the upper curved surface.  This is the likely problem which caused this tragedy. 

How does ice form on wings?

As noted above high clouds at temperatures far below freezing have moisture in both solid and liquid form. When planes encounter supercooled droplets aloft ice can form along the forward or leading edge of the wing. Rime ice has a rough surface.  It causes the air to flow irregularly in what is called “turbulent flow”.  This form of air flow destroys the lift effect.  Rime ice thus destroys the rapid smooth flow over the upper wing surface. The slowed flow of air along the wing edge causes loss of lift, or when excessive may cancels out lift altogether.  On both wings,  icing may cause the plane to lose elevation instantly. When only one wing is impacted, that wing loses lift and the plane may bank sharply in that wing’s direction, causing the aircraft to begin an uncontrolled downward spiral. 

In the early years of flight, most planes flew well below levels of high clouds where supercooled droplets would likely be encountered.   When aircraft began flying at high altitudes, methods to control icing on wings became essential for safe flight.There are several methods used on the most modern airliners. One more modern solution is to direct heated air or other fluids derived from the jet engines or the prop engines to the wings when required .These “hot wing” planes melt rime ice which may accumulate on the wings and leading tail edge. Another method common on many older types of aircraft is a rubber boot which encases the forward edge of the wing. This flexible boot can be pumped up with air when necessary which causes the boot to expand and crack the adhering ice which then is driven off the wing by air flow. 

The ATR 72 model has this latter design. One problem with this system is that in cases when icing conditions are extreme or when such conditions are repeatedly encountered, multiple use of the system may form ice encrustations which break off and slide rearward only to refreeze onto the central cambered portion of the wing, beyond the rubber boot. When that occurs the aircraft  loses lift rapidly and plunge to lower levels. 

Though "icing" seems the likely cause of the tragedy in Brazil, what seems compelling when looking at the facts and circumstances from afar is often only the first hypothesis in perhaps a much more complex circumstance. We must await the full technical report on this sad air tragedy.

  One can only feel pain and sympathy for the families of the more than 60 passengers and crew who lost their lives in this terrible crash. One hopes those who investigate these tragedies can find the cause and make recommendations regarding flight safety that will make such tragedies very much less common.*  

(Though in relatively uncommon meteorological circumstances such as “ice storms” supercooled clouds may produce rain drops cooled to the freezing point. These liquid drops at freezing temperatures (not supercooled) fall into lower warmer levels of the atmosphere close to ground level.  There they strike power lines or tree limbs and branches and as they strike these surfaces minor evaporation further drops the temperature causing the drops to freeze on contact, and over time building up thick layers of ice with often devastating consequences to trees and power-lines.) 

* More recent (September 2024) reports indicate that indeed the Sao Palo crash was caused by wing icing. To this author, it seems reasonable to request that the ATR 72-500 turbo prop plane manufactured in Europe by ATR, a French-Italian consortium of the Airbus and Leonardo firms which in most circumstances appears to be a safe practical airship,  should be grounded and refitted with more modern deicing equipment than its original design system before it can be safely flown again.  Icing is not a mid latitude or cold climate issue. Rime icing can occur even close to the equator….. in Brazil.

  

*There is of course no such thing as “suction” but it may work as an idea aid.

*Normal lapse rate is about 3.5F per 1000 feet.

• (19 X 3.5F)- 70 F = Temp at 19,000 feet)) or 19 X 3.5 =66.5F, 70F-66.5 = 4.5F. 
• Brazilian meteorological company reported severe icing in Sao Paulo State at the time of the crash. 

ATTACK BY ANGRY HEN TURKEY

On the North American Wild Turkey (Meliagris gallopavo) 

The wild turkey is a dry ground chicken-like bird native to North America. The species originally occupied all of North America east of the Rockies and south of Canada, as well as isolated areas of central Mexico and central California.   

Adult male turkeys or “Toms”, (also called  “gobblers”) may weigh up to 25 pounds, with a body length of about 50 inches and may stand at two feet high. The hen turkey is smaller and more slender and may weigh about half that of a gobbler and is correspondingly shorter. The wing span of a mature male bird may reach well over 4 feet.  Turkeys are dark-gray-brown or coppery colored. Toms have a reddish head and often long, red fleshy wattles on their throat. The male also long tails which they can spread out into impressive fan-shapes in breeding displays as well as a fleshy“beard” which hangs from their breast. 

Turkeys can fly quite well and do so regularly to avoid predators or to reach roosting perches above the forest floor. They can fly for distances of a quarter mile (@400 meters) or more, often remaining close to the ground.  They often roost in trees at night and can fly up to tens of meters to reach these roost sites.    

Not so long ago I was attacked by an angry hen turkey attempting to protect a brood of eight young in her care.

The incident occurred this way:

While driving on a narrow country road winding through a local wooded area, I was altered by the flash of red break lights ahead that the auto ahead of made an abrupt stop. 

Beyond the stopped vehicle, I could see the cause, it was a hen turkey slowly and deliberately crossing the road. And behind her fowlling in a neat orderly line were seven tiny poults or “baby” turkeys.  I watched, as in a military-like precision the line of tiny gray poults disappeared one by one into the brush on the opposite side of the road. 

The car ahead started to move. Alarmingly, just at that moment, an eighth poult emerged from the far side of the road, running frantically to catch up with its mother and siblings. Again, the car ahead stopped short, and the last poult skittered past the front tire to disappear into the bordering brush. Only then traffic slowly moved on. 

What a lovely sight. Turkeys have become so common these days, that regular polite interactions with this adaptable, large wild bird leave most suburbanites nonplussed. Secretly we  marvel at the  ability of this large wild bird to survive and prosper in a dangerous man-made world of scattered remnant woodlands, speeding traffic, housing developments and numerous domestic predators (i.e. cats and dogs). 

The turkey’s success in suburbia is, in part, the result of the return of forests! New York State’s land area is almost two-thirds forested.  The 18 million acres of NY State forests represent about 61% of our total land area.  Much of this forest land is excellent turkey habitat.  Then too, the Wild Turkey is a large bird—most weigh about 15-20 pounds. At that size, they are able to effectively defend themselves from the most common small predators found in modern forests. Then too, they are also excellent short distance fliers.  They can escape certain predators by flying.  Flight also permits them to exploit scattered and isolated feeding and roosting sites which occur within the highly divided and segmented terrane of suburbia. Remnant patches of wood lot and feeding areas isolated by large scale housing development are often unavailable to other terrestrial-bound wild life, by heavily trafficked busy road ways.  Turkey flocks can access these areas.  

Their habit of roosting in trees at night, which provides them protection from terrestrial predators. Their tendency to flock together offers further protection,  They are also pretty smart. 

To survive in a suburban habitat the turkey must be highly protective of its young. On an occasion in early spring described above, I encountered a mother hen herding eight tiny gray and fluffy poults.  The area she had chosen for her brood was a brushy woodland crossed by an asphalt-surfaced bike path.  I habitually walked on this path and had seen this same hen and her poults the day before. (Perhaps the one seen and recorded above crossing the roadway.) 

On that day I walked briskly along and coming up over a rise, I observed the heb turjey ahead . As I approached, she was herding her brood of poults across the path.  As I approached I counted three poults follow her across the path..but the other five I had seen earlier in the day were slower and I assumed they were behind her.  As I came up closer, I realized  that the hen and some of her poults were on one side of the path, while the other five (?) were on likely on the opposite side. Her brood was apparently separated by the path upon which I was walking.  

As a result, as I approached, I was met with angry cackling and clucking from the high grass bordering the pathway. The cackling became louder and soon the bobbing gray head of the angry hen appeared just above the two-foot-high grass. She rushed along close to the side of the path, partly hidden by the high grass, anxiously pacing along with me and continuing her frantic clucking. 

I found myself between her and the other members of her brood. Not frightened of her, and sure that I could outpace her, I continued on my course moving along a bit more rapipidly. But angry turkeys can run very fast on the ground. As I sped up into a trot, she sped up easily moving out ahead of me.  Then, without warning,  she stopped and turned toward me to jump into the air, flying directly at me. She rose up steeply off the ground, her feet outstretched,  aiming directly for my head!  I ducked, as her wide wings brushed over my head, and I could feel a puff of air as her wings passed over my head.  Her  long reddish claws passing  just over my hat.  I shifted my position, yelling and swinging  my arms out wide.   But this made no impression, for she landed on the opposite side of the path, and simply turned and made another flying pass at my head.  

I stopped to make another  attempt at a defense by jumping up and down waving my arms vigorously and yelling: “Scat..Go Away, Scat”, but this seemed only to arouse her further.  At this point, a mental image of the  velociraptor  attack scene from the film “Jurassic Park” flashed through my head.  Her movements and angry look looked very reptilian like as she landed this time on the center of the path, to face me directly.  She had my number now.  She must have realized, I was more frightened of her than she was of me. 

The angry hen turkey clucking loudly, faced me from the center of the path. She stared at me with one angry eye, clucking loudly which made her long neck throb and the dangling gray wattle on her head jiggle violently, She spread her wings wide.  The wide wings seemed to more or less cover any route of escape I had. So, I simply turned around and retreated. But that was a mistake. 

Seeing my back in retreat, seemed to only encourage further attack. She flew at me again. This time knocking the hat off my head with her feet.  I grabbed my hat and turned to face her, waving my soft hat as ineffective protection from her sharp claws, as I slowly backed away. I did notice that my voice cracked as I yelled and my lips felt dry.  Facing her I continued slowly to retreat for about fifty feet which seemed to get me out of her threat zone.  At that point she quietly turned into the brush and disappeared. I didn't wait to see if she rejoined her poults.  I turned and walked briskly back to where I started, with a pulse rate much higher than usual for a brisk walk.

When observed in the field these wild birds are a startling reminder of the underlying principle of the fact that the natural law still governs us all. Though commonly seen, on roadways, bike paths and elsewhere the life and history of this now much more common species is very little known. Even their very name “turkey”  elicits questions.

Addendum.

On July 30,  2024, I observed what I assume to be the same hen turkey in the same area described above. By this date observed only four (4) poults with her. Fortunately they were all on the same side of the path, and as I walked by, she clucked” them along into the deeper brush on that side of the path. 

On September 13, 2024 I again encountered the same hen turkey with her brood of poults. Again there were four. At this time they were about as big as a yearling hen chicken…They were feeding on seed heads of grasses along the Rail Path. The hen also appeared to be feeding on the red berries of the Russian Olive (Eleagnus augustifolia) which is a common species along the Rail Path in this area. 

WHITE-TAILED DEER, BROWSING PREFERENCES

 MIDSUMMER BROWSING PREFERENCES OF A SUBURBAN LI, NEW YORK, WHITE-TAILED DEER HERD 

The White tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a medium sized antlered ungulate native to most of North America and Canada, Central America, and the northern third of South America with isolated populations in parts of Central America.  There are an estimated 30 million deer in North America (See wikipedia) which in suitable habitats may weigh from 170 lbs for a buck (male) to 120 lbs for a doe.  In farming country or forested areas White Tailed Deer have a natural home range of about one square mile.  The species feeds mostly as a browser, feeding on the leaves and tender twigs of trees and brush, using their lower incisor teeth to tear off plant food. TheY have no upper incisors. They also eat grass and other low growing non-woody species as well as domestic crops such as corn and vegetable crops. Fruit and nuts are eagerly consumed when available as well.  They drink water when it is available, but can get most of their water from the food plants they consume as well as water produced by the digestion process.  Deer are ruminants that eat plant foods which, after maceration by molars, enters their stomach where fermentation  takes place in part of their four part stomach. They then regurgitate that food to chew it again for further digestion aided by microbial action. 

The most abundant and nutritious food sources for deer are found—not in the interior of shady forests as some might suspect—but on the margins between forest and open farm field, meadow, or roadsides. These often sunny, boundary zones or “edge habitat” produce the most and the greatest variety of plant food for deer. 

Suburban areas provide adequate habitat for deer since these partly urbanized areas are characterized by the natural spaces being  divided up by roads and housing and commercial areas which thus provide abundant and desirable “edge” habitat for deer. The suburban deer has few or no natural predators, and most often, no human hunters. This habitat also has well nourished, well watered plant foods in the form of grass lawns, foundation and decorative plantings, home gardens and well tended fruit and shade trees.

The deer population in Suffolk County, New York is estimated to be between 25,000 to 36,000 head as of 2014 (NYSC DEC Aug 4, 2014). With larger deer herds in suburban areas deer food preferences must have an impact on what plants may survive and prosper in parks, natural preserves, waste places.  plants wild are more likely to be impacted by deer browsing. Heavy browsing can alter population dynamics and intensify exacerbate invasive plant dominance or spread. 

But what do deer prefer in mid summer when heat may affect need for water, and when deer browse seems to be plentiful, at least to human observers?  What plant species are deer browsing on and what do they seem to prefer at the height of seasonal plant growth.  It is obvious that deer do seem to have specific preferences, which tends to limit their browsing locations and movements. The following brief observations may be of interest. 

Deer browsing preferences were observed in mid-summer 2024 along a rail road right-of way on Long Island Brookhaven Township, Suffolk County NY. This visual survey was conducted on July 18, 2024 along both sides of a one mile route of a bike-walk-jogging path, a former east-west Long Island rail road right of way, locally known as the Rail Path in Brookhaven Township between Rt 25A and Miller Place Road. The four meter wide asphalt path is bordered by a swath of recently cut mixed grasses and forbs which is in some areas confluent with patches of woodland of varying acreages. These provide adequate refuge or cover for deer. While the path itself is a continuous zone of edge habitat where they feed.  Parts of this zone are occupied by electric utility poles and pylons. Parts are bordered by housing development and others as noted above by forested areas. Whitetail deer are plentiful along this stretch of the “Rail Path”. 

Observations and records were made of the species of brush, vines and trees which showed obvious signs of recent deer browsing, branches and twigs devoid of leaves, with only petiole remaining, tooth marks, chewed twigs, branches bearing remnant leaves and chewed off tender terminals.

SPECIES OBSERVED BROWSED ALONG RAIL PATH..BETWEEN NY RT 25A AND MILLER PLACE ROAD, JULY 18, 2024.

Fox Grape(Vitis labrusca) especially young leaves and tendrils. (Most commonly browsed)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) young leaves and tender branches.(Frequent)

Japanese Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)..tender leaves and tips of vines. (Frequent) 

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) both young leaves and especially the red fruit bodies (drupes0 of the terminal panicle were eaten off while the greEN panicle (infructescence) itself was left relatively undisturbed 

Field Bindweed ( Convolvulus arvensis) vine tendrils, flowers and leaves. (Frequent)

Catalpa  (Catalpa bignonioides) Leaves tender twigs browsed.(Few)

Flowering Pear (Pyrus sp) terminal leaves and twigs browsed.(Few) 

INCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS (not recorded at this date). 

Other species browsed: 

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) A telephone pole with heavy growth of the poison ivy climbing vine was observed to have been browsed by deer. Typical height, and vegetation effects of deer browsing were observed. This during early spring of 2024.

Chicken Mushroom (Laetiporus sulphureus) observed a large shelf fungi on a lightning struck Black Oak tree about three feet above ground. The fungi had clearly been chewed by ungulate. On a later observation two days later most of the remaining portion had been chewed off and removed. This observation in the early spring of 2024 within the one mile path zone of this report 

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocisssus quinquefolia) Ocasionally browsed in this study area. But most observations of browsing were associated with presence of C.orbiculatus. Perhaps this species simply eaten by deer accidentally as they seek favored Bittersweet. 

 

VERY COMMON SPECIES NOT BROWSED AT TIME OF THIS OBSERVATION

Though very common among other forbs, brush and minor tree species and available at heights deer could reach all along one mile path, no evidence of browsing was observed on these common species.

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) This species is heavily browsed in winter but no observations of browsing were observed at the time if these observations. Most trees had abundant light green new terminal branch growth but none showed evidence of browsing.

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Black Cherry(Prunus serotina)

Norway maple (Acer platanoides) 

Paulownia tree (Paulownia tometosa)

Poke weed (Phytolacca americana)

Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Crown Vetch (Secuigera varia)

CONCLUSION: Wherever Japanese Bittersweet (C.orbiculatus) or Fox Grape (V. lambrusca) were available to be browsed  by deer, i.e.  within 1.5-2 meters above ground,  in the described study area these species were heavily browsed.  One may use such browsing as high probability of White tailed deer in significant populations levels. 

Addendum

By July 30, 2024, much of the preferred browse noted above along the Rail Path corridor had been consumed by deer. Late in the month this author observed the preferred species noted above had been heavily browsed and were in the process of regrowing leaves on branches that had been denuded or browsed clean. These new growths appeared unaltered by browsing deer. 

On these last days of July perhaps being hungry, deer were observed browsing actively on foundation plantings located on adjacent  property. The browsed foundation plant were identified as  commonly planted, Yew (Taxus sp?) Probably  T. Canadensis)  On July 28, author  observed young fork horn buck and yearling  doe grazing in high grass which borders the Rail Path.  Apparently the preferred species described above were not enough to satisfy their hunger and late in July deer here began grazing. 

By mid to late September, acorns were falling from oaks, and these were eagerly eaten by deer. A pair of yearlings were observed regularly gleaning acorns fallen to the roadbed. These two favored a busy corner along North Country. Road where fallen acorns were often crushed by vehicles truning into a side road. The crushed acorns seem to be preferred…or perhaps  they were simply more easily seen and exploited on the hard asphalt surface.  Sadly the attraction to these  crushed acorns brought them into  contact with a busy road. 

In addition, around this time fallen fruit, apples, and pears fallen onto lawns and even close to homes were also eagerly eaten.