What Happens After the Turkeys Cross The Road?
More than just a few times, I have found myself waiting for a group of turkeys to cross the road. They were in no hurry. If you spend much time on the Davis campus, you know the scene.
Watch: Do’s & Don’ts of UC Davis Turkeys
Take 1 minute to watch this award-winning UC Davis video about the campus turkeys for tips on how to stay safe around a flock. Tips include:
- Stay alert and avoid biking or walking by any wild turkeys.
- Do not feed the turkeys.
- An open umbrella can steer a wild turkey out of your path.
- Keep a safe distance.
Also the Safety Services website says that if you need assistance with the turkeys, best to call Yolo County Animal Control, by reaching out to [email protected] or 530‐668‐5287.
Earlier this week, as I waited longer than usual, I started wondering: Who at UC Davis is responsible for the turkeys?
The answer surprised me. No one manages the campus turkey population. We maintain the landscapes the turkeys use, but the birds are regulated wildlife, though they are not native.
That sent me down a wild turkey trail. I learned that our campus turkeys do actually fly – in fact, they fly up into trees at night to sleep. Annually, the hens usually lay one egg per day for about two weeks and they all hatch at the same time, which explains why we see groups of juvenile turkeys that are the same age.
It turns out our Facilities teams receive calls about turkey droppings, and Facilities staff pressure-wash the walkways. But we cannot make the birds stop fighting with their reflections in parked cars or choose a better place to leave a mess.
The more I thought about it, the more familiar that challenge felt. Much of our work involves preparing for things we cannot control.
When wildfire smoke moves into the region, our teams monitor conditions, alert managers of outdoor workers, make masks available and prepare for possible changes in operating status. When tariffs raise the price of equipment or a federal grant requirement is put into place, our financial teams help understand the impact and adjust their plans.
The circumstances are different, but the habit is the same: notice what could affect campus, think ahead and respond quickly when conditions change.
That readiness is part of our culture in FOA, and I’m grateful for the people who bring it to their work. You look ahead and prepare to adjust, whether the next challenge is smoke in the air, an unexpected hole in a budget or a turkey standing in the road.