Ornery Wild Turkeys Block Traffic in New Hartford

Most drivers know well enough to keep an eye out for deer running into the road, but wild turkeys? And, just down the road from Commercial Drive in New Hartford?

This was the scene Sunday evening as three wild turkeys were spotted crossing New Hartford Street in New York Mills, near the Philip Rayhill Trail parking lot, near New Hartford/Utica line where the road changes over to Seneca Street. There were at least three birds, and one in particular was quite aggressive. Each time a vehicle would approach, the bully of the bunch would stride into the street to block the vehicle, seemingly inspecting the front bumper and license plate before allowing each to pass through.

And, barking orders, too.

Take a listen to the video to hear the colorful creature's near continuous clucking at cars and SUVs.

Meanwhile, some motorists reported being startled by low flying turkeys at the Route 840 on-ramp from Commercial Drive on Friday evening. Not sure if this is the same bunch, or just how many more might be wandering near the trail-area.

If you're wondering how much damage a turkey could do to your vehicle, take a look at the photos below. This is the aftermath of turkey crashing into and nearly through the windshield of a pickup truck in June of 2021. While this didn't happen in New York Mills or New Hartford, it happened to a New York Mills couple who were traveling on Route 41, just outside of Afton, NY.

Fortunately, the couple traveling in this truck was not seriously injured. As you would imagine from the wreckage pictured above, the turkey was killed