Greetings

What a thorny topic.

I am not a big fan of introducing things. Regarding the Wild Turkeys, I do think tracking their population/range changes offers significant insights into population dynamics, so reporting sightings at new locations, etc is of import.

This is especially true for species like Eurasian Collared Dove (and in CA- Spotted Dove), wherein local introductions are less likely.

And I must say, I did take joy from seeing the turkeys. They're cool birds. Still, I'd not have introduced them back when if I'd been King.

But back to the thorns. I do take exception with the venom some direct at certain species like blackberries. Our various introduced species provide incredible wildlife habitat for a variety of native species in our highly (and irreversibly) altered suburban landscape. When removed, they are not replaced with native blackberries (or if such happens, it has not been in my stomping grounds) and they are typically replaced by native species with far less wildlife value or "whatever" is allowed to grow back in their place. In wild areas, I could understand their removal. In Seattle or Everett, removing them because they are not native seems like folly.

Anyway,

Gobble, Gobble.
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA