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So the guy I jump with most often and I are on the ladder of our favorite little antenna. We get to the first platform, which is about 100 feet, and spot something rather large on it. It was covered in branches 3 to 5 feet long. The area covered was probably about 8 feet wide. While on the platform we were baffled. I did a little looking around during the day and it turns out that Wild Turkeys are nesting on the platform. So what we're wondering is are they going to peck out our eyes and eat our brains? When do they lay eggs? I imagine they will be far more protective of the area then. Has anyone had this situation before? We have other objects for the mean time, but we're wondering what you guys think.

Here's a link to a page...
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Meleagris_gallopavo.html
It doesn't sound like they are that vicious, and would tend to avoid contact. They also only nest during the night, so perhaps a climb at early dusk to pass them while there was still light around would work?

are you sure its a turkey, not like Turkey Vultures or some thing other than a turkey, I think all turkey net on the ground. all you need it a protection like this

With the exception of owls, most birds will fly away.

Vultures may try to vomit on you though. They will also spread their winds to intimidate you.

Similar situation ---> Owl

This also happened to me on one deserted chimney but birds were not that big. They just started making a lot of noise and surprised me.

Been there
Vulture puke stinks! Especially when it's on your head

Interesting factoid of the day: Vultures vomit on their feet to keep them warm...

Ha! Thanks guys. We are most amazed by the speed at which this roost has gone up. The last jump off of this object was three weeks ago. There was not so much as a twig on the platform then and now the platform is covered. Yes, it is definitely turkeys. I've watched them now on two occasions in open day light. I am not really too worried about them. We are just curious how protective they will be of their young/eggs. Guess we'll find out eventually and I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

If they are in fact wild turkeys, bring a pellet gun and some cranberry sauce... Mmmmmm

we we're surprised a few years back in true Hitchcock style.. We were inside this semi-abandoned silo, almost at the top and trying to find access to the roof. We entered a pitch black dark room with not enough room to walk straight up and had to watch our every step, almost feel our way. The floor was dirty, even sticky, but we tried to get to the top, so we went in. Suddenly one of us accidentally kicks a ventilation channel with a loud banging sound and tens if not hundreds pigeons wake up start flying about, as we are freaking out trying to cover our heads and getting the hell out, fast! It felt exactly like Hitchcock's Birds, only we were in the movie! Birds fucking everywhere!!

We found roof access by the way and got to jump it. The floor was sticky because it was covered in layers of bird shit...

I believe these birds only roost in elevated position, not nest. Solution: day blaze that shit yo! http://www.saskschools.ca/~gregory/thanks/wildtky.html

FWIW, I guarantee these are turkey vultures NOT wild turkeys. not much of a concern except for the general vile putrid smell of the nest area and the aggressive puke protection.

That's funny. 587 and I were climbing a ladder on the outside of a silo a few years back. On one of the platforms there was a crow's nest (the kind that's actually made by a crow). We climbed past it, but the rest of the way up we had maybe half a dozen crows dive bombing us. When we got to the top, in the open, they didn't lay off for a while. We were worried.

I think it was not long after that we were climbing a freestander at night, and scared the shit out of a large group of crows who were sleeping on one of the platforms. It was total mayhem for the next ten minutes. We had the worst luck with birds that year.

Michael

BWHAHAHAHHA ......... dude!! I am sooo glad you were ahead of me on the ladder that night!! I was already scared stupid never mind waking up a few crows face to face...........
Side note- first jump I was geared up for and then backed off of. On the climb down I yelled every 30 feet or so to let them (the birds) know I was "chickening out". :)