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Post by franklinridgefarms on Jan 16, 2020 10:36:00 GMT -6
Not sure where to post this, but figure general conversation amongst farmers would seem natural. Several years ago there was a huge black buzzard roost in some trees at the cities cemetery. Always thought that was a tacky embarrassing thing to tolerate, but it seems to have dwindled to just a few. Back when there were large numbers I would often see them flying out of a morning in a fairly straight way heading in the same direction sometimes count 50 or more coming from that direction probably five or six miles from that roost. Had t noticed that kind of behavior or numbers for several years, had just seen 2-5 circling around like they were looking for something like buzzards do on about any given day. Then over the last few weeks of a morning I have noticed as many as in the twenties flying straight over In a similar pattern from a different direction. My conclusion is there must be another size able roost in the area. Makes me nervous cause we haven’t had any issues for a few years, but with those numbers flying in lose proximity to each other they could really cause trouble for cows calving. I wonder if they eventually disperse and go different ways or if they have a destination area that go to. What ever they do I don’t want them stopping off around here we are now and will through March/April be having cows calving?
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Post by birddog on Jan 16, 2020 12:32:08 GMT -6
Disturbing their nightly roosting spot goes a long way getting them to move on. A few years back when I was having a problem I found out by accident where they were roosting. (A very large dead elm tree just across my boundary fence). Every evening about dark I would fire a couple rounds of duck loads into the group. After 4 or 5 nights they decided to move on. Not sure where they went but the number flying around was greatly reduced.
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Post by brightraven on Jan 16, 2020 14:49:38 GMT -6
I calved in September/October this fall. I did not see a single Black or Mexican Vulture around the farm. There were plenty of Turkey Vultures picking up fresh calf feces. I was surprised because the Black Vultures seem to be abundant. I collect placentas as soon as I can, and bury them in the manure pile.
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Post by tcranch on Jan 16, 2020 16:52:47 GMT -6
Fortunately we only have turkey vultures (buzzards) and they do migrate, won't show up here until Spring and leave again next Fall.
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