While I have no personal data on the effects of turkeys I have heard of
quite a few discussions on the impacts of native herps by turkeys. These
aren't birds, but certainly part of the native ecosystem and certainly
important. I know the discussion has been done before here on tweets about
the changes in the local avifauna and how those changes affect the system.
Those changes can be argued as either "bad" or "just change", but either way
it is important to understand the changes that those species have on their
system whether they be introduced like turkeys or spreading like doves or
barred owls, there are effects and its good to understand those. I'd
personally be interested in knowing of any data on changes in herptofauna by
turkeys in the state, some areas like upper Kittitas Co. they have certainly
become VERY numerous.

On local firsts for the spring I haven't had a chance to post but this week
observed the first Hammond's Flycatcher, Wilson's Warbler, Gray Flycatcher,
Nashville Warbler and Swainson's Thrush near Bickleton and Warbling Vireo
and Nashville Warbler in our yard in Yakima.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA