Alfred Hitchcock, indeed, would have been delighted by the recent gathering of turkey vultures at the Easton grain elevator plant off off Dover Street. Still, one suspects that most residents that pass by the large processing center might find the sight of the bird conferees a tad off-putting.
That was the response from one of our Spy readers, and they inquired as to what the town might do to disband this rather spooky convention of hundreds of vultures. We don’t have an answer for any municipality response, but we have seen this phenomenon before.
Ten years ago, Spy editor Kathy Bosin explored a similar occurrence on an AT&T cell tower off St. Michaels Road. In that article, she explains that these remarkable gatherings are called “wakes” because it mirrors a traditional wake where family and friends gather to pay their respects to a loved one. And while the birds do not express grief of any type, their bowed heads and black silhouettes remind the solemn atmosphere of a funeral.
We asked one of spies to capture some reconnaissance film to share.
This video is approximately is less than one minute in length.
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Bill Anderrson says
A deceased buzzard, suspended on a rope from some part of the superstructure there, will signal to the living buzzards that it is desired that they relocate. They will get the message and within days, almost each one — and with a bit of good fortune, all of them will have found other places to gather. Nothing tried, nothing gained.
Chris Katz says
There are TONS of them in the Rio Vista community as well. They often fly close to the power lines which can be annoying when trying to walk your dogs. We had not seen this as an issue in the past.