As the seasons turn to fall and the leaves begin to drop, DV students and staff alike have noticed a jump in turkeys.
Turkeys have overtaken San Ramon, Calif. once again for the autumn season, appearing a few weeks into fall lurking around City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, Calif. Furthermore, people have also seen turkeys around Central Park, and the city center area. In recent days, turkey reports have spiked up to 13 turkey sightings around the Tri-Valley region according to ebird, a website that documents bird siting from all over the world.
Sophomore Brie Pereya has spotted some turkeys near her area.
“There’s some turkeys near Limerick, there’s a path you can walk down and I found them on the side of the path,” Pereya states.
In the brisk autumn air near a nature trail, Pereya describes seeing around five or six turkeys in a small group, just “walking around.”
“They were crossing the road, in front of me and my family while we were walking.” She said.
Pereya states she’s seen the birds appear a week ago, remembering she’s seen them in previous years.
“I don’t really think much of them, but they’re just something for my dad to point out, and go, ‘I’m going to eat them,’” Pereya shared.
In contrast, freshman Aaliyah Wahabzada finds the turkeys to be a quirky addition to San Ramon.
Wahabzada stated.
Wahabzada recounts, “My sister, she threw a rock at a turkey, and then the turkey proceeded to get mad and chase her,” during the time her family went to a doctor’s appointment. “It was very funny.”
When asked where else the turkeys might roam around, she believes “they go home. Home is where the love is.” She comments.
“Honestly, I think I would just go to the street where that doctor’s office is because those turkeys, they were majestic. I would just kind of pick one up, put it in my car, and take it home.” Wahabzada says.
Sophomore Yujin Kim describes the turkeys as “pretty cute,” but admits she’s a “little scared of them” from hearing they have the ability to peck, and a high likeness of chasing people.
While near her home, Kim recollects seeing turkeys near the road.
“I think I saw about three or four, just basically crossing the road. They were just trying to get somewhere, walking around.”
Kim thinks the San Ramon turkeys are owned by farmers who let them be free-range. Kim also thinks if she weren’t scared of turkeys, a turkey house pet would do.
“I would adopt it, but not keep it in the house. Just kind of as a cute pet to roam the land.” Kim states.
Meanwhile, sophomore Colin Lee believes eating turkeys is the way to go.
“Taking them, adopting them, and feeding them. So they get nice and fat. And then I like, eat them.” Lee said.
Lee remembers spotting a group of four near his friend’s house, roaming close to a country club in Blackhawk, Calif.
“Apparently, my friend used to chase them around and get them to chase him back. And almost get pecked by them.”
Lee describes if he’d ever owned a turkey, it’ll be a solid “three years until I get mad at it.”
