Mike Bottini sent me this picture which came from Richard Poveromo, the head of the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society. It's not easy to make out but it shows a Turkey Vulture with a chick at the bottom of an old cistern and we believe that this is only the second confirmed nesting record on Long Island for this ordinarily very conspicuous creature.
Before some five or six years ago, Turkey Vulture was actually not the least bit conspicuous out here; it was only occasionally seen in migration. Then, in 2008, there was a remarkable invasion and a single breeding record came out of the Montauk area within a year or two. These birds are undoubtedly also breeding in the Pine Barrens but I don't believe there is any confirming evidence. At any rate, it looks as though this widespread and quite stunning scavenger is here to stay.
Did I say stunning? Up close, the Turkey Vulture, with its bare head, is big, ugly and even a scary. But, along with its uncommon partner, the Black Vulture (also now often seen but not yet recorded nesting), it is a magnificent soaring aerialist.
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