San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
TURKEY VULTURES AT LAKE POWAY ARE AFTER LEFTOVERS, NOT DUCKS
Humans aren’t the only ones who have been enjoying a picnic at Lake Poway lately.
Some visitors to the lake said they have noticed an unusually high number of turkey vultures in the area. At the same time, they say the number of ducks seems to be decreasing, and have wondered if the two things are connected.
It’s common for vultures — specifically the turkey vultures at the lake — to be seen scavenging. Their primary food source is the meat from dead animals. However, the appearance of the large birds doesn’t necessarily mean something deceased is nearby.
“Our turkey vultures are more prevalent during the summer because we have a lot of trash left over from food brought into the area for barbecues and picnics,” said Allie Margis, recreation area manager for Lake Poway. “The food goes into the trash and the vultures will go into the trash after the food.”
Vultures provide an important function for the environment by “cleaning up” or consuming carrion, so that the dead bodies don’t accumulate or spread disease from rotting flesh.
Margis addressed several misconceptions about the turkey vultures at the lake, such as concerns that ducks are being scared away and ducklings are disappearing.
While it’s true the ducklings often vanish, it’s not because of the turkey vultures.
“We have a lot of bigmouth bass in the lake and they will often eat the baby ducklings as they swim in the water,” Margis said. “But it’s just the babies; the adult ducks are still here and are thriving.”
Another misconception is the number of vultures calling the area home. Some people have claimed to see as many as 50.
Because vultures are so large, people often mistake their numbers, according to Margis, who has worked at the lake for the past seven years. “The most I’ve ever seen at one time is eight birds, or maybe 10; I’ve never seen flocks of 50 or more,” she said.
Turkey vultures are readily identifiable because of their large size, dark coloring and bald heads, which resemble the heads of turkeys.
Averaging 2.5 feet tall with a 6.5-foot wingspan, they tend to weigh only about 3 pounds, despite their impressive size.
Noting the big birds are often perched near the dam, Margis addressed another misconception — they don’t live on the dam or the water.
“Vultures actually live in trees and they move around, not always sleeping in the same trees every night,” she said.
Outside of the breeding season, turkey vultures are known to roost in rock crevices, ledges, thickets and abandoned hawk and heron nests.
In addition to the turkey vultures, other large birds found at the lake include red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, barn owls, and “every once in a while a bald eagle,” said Margis. A couple of “beautiful” osprey also live at the lake, she said.
A large number of ducks and other waterfowl also call Lake Poway home.
“Most of the ducks are wild, although there are sometimes domestic ducks, which people drop off here. However, it is illegal to leave pet ducks here, as well as very unsafe for a domestic animal to be dumped into the wild,” Margis said.
She said officials at the lake contact the San Diego Humane Society to catch any domestic waterfowl that appear.
Sharp-eyed guests might notice some domestic geese on the lake. Margis said those birds come and go, and are believed to be pets that live nearby.