LIers can help with wild turkey survey

State Department of Environmental Conservation officials have invited Long Islanders to help evaluate the wild turkey population through the annual summer game bird survey.

Residents can participate by recording the wild turkeys they observe during everyday travel this month, said Mike Schiavone, a DEC wildlife biologist based in Albany.

Participation is open to “anyone who sees birds,” he said. They only need to be able to tell the difference between adult males and females and poults, which are young turkeys, he said.

Turkeys typically can be found in parts of Nassau and Suffolk counties, and especially in the Town of Brookhaven and on public lands on the East End, Schiavone said.

The survey findings help officials estimate the number of new poults each year, which helps gauge reproductive success and predict fall hunting potential, Schiavone said.

“We rely on these efforts,” he said. “It’s a really great way for folks to get involved and contribute important data to help manage this popular resource.”

A survey form with instructions is available on the state DEC website or by contacting a regional DEC office at (518) 402-8886 or by email to fwwildlf@gw.dec.state.ny.us.