Listen to Nature Almanac
on KGNU Radio,
88.5 FM, 1390 AM
Fri, Nov. 7, 2008, 8:06 a.m.

Boulder Weather

Avg. High: 53° F
Avg. Low: 29° F

Max. High: 79° F (1989)
Min. Low: -12° F (1986)

Avg. Precip: 1.02
Max. Precip: 6.04" (1942)

Average Snow: 11.1"
Max. Snow: 49.3" (1969)

Max Wind: 124

November Wildflowers

Gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa)

Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia repens)

Reintroduction programs have enabled Wild Turkeys to gain a foothold in Boulder County.

Wild Turkeys strut through ponderosa pine forests of Boulder Country’s foothills, where they gather in flocks of up to fifty birds during fall and winter. They forage for insects, fruits, and seeds by day and roost in the treetops at night.

These wily birds were domesticated by North American Indians long before the pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving. Wild and semi-domesticated flocks were common until the early twentieth century, when over-hunting, European diseases, and habitat loss decimated populations. By 1930 numbers throughout North America had dropped to around 20,000.

Then, hunting was severely restricted and reintroductions began. After several false starts using domestic and hybrid turkeys, which quickly earned a reputation for stupidity, researchers began using only pure-bred Wild Turkeys. The program was so successful that the National Wild Turkey Federation estimates that more than 7 million Wild Turkeys now inhabit the United States.

A North Dakota newspaper ran a banner headline: “Wild Turkeys Become a Nuisance in Downtown Minot,” dateline, September 10, 2001. The following day we saw that paper and thought there might never again be a world where such ordinary news would warrant a big, bold headline.

Now, hearing wild turkeys gobble is a reassuring sound, and watching them lead a flock of chicks through a peaceful forest is a heartening sight.  Look for them at Walker Ranch, Green Mountain, Lower Lefthand Canyon, and North St. Vrain Canyon.

Other November Events

• Overwintering Bald Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks arrive.
• Loons and swans appear on lakes in east Boulder County.
• Ducks are decked out in nuptial plumages.
• Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer spar and mate.
• Black Bears begin their long winter nap.
• Box Elder Bugs, spiders, and crickets invade your home.

November 2008 Events

November 13: The full moon rises at 4:26 p.m.

• Rivers Start to Freeze (Arapaho)
• Storms (Cheyenne)
• Baby-Bear (Osage)

November 17: Leonid meteor shower peaks. Best viewing should be after midnight when the moon has dropped behind the mountains. Look east toward Leo.

All photos: Steve Jones

Read Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen Jones's Nature Almanac column in the Daily Camera "Get Out" section the first Friday of each month.

Click logo for KGNU on the Web