WILDLIFE NOTES from the Pennsylvania Game Commission:
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) — The turkey vulture is the chief avian scavenger of the United States, consuming huge quantities of unsanitary and (to human sensibilities) offensive carrion from roads, fields and forests. Three subspecies inhabit North America: the eastern (found in Pennsylvania); western; and Mexican turkey vulture.
Adults are about 30 inches in length, with wingspans up to six feet. Their bodies are covered with blackish- brown feathers, and sexes are colored alike. Seen from below, a turkey vulture’s wings appear two-toned, the flight feathers lighter-colored than the rest of the feathering. Turkey vultures soar with wings held above the horizontal, forming a gently V. To probe deeply into carrion without becoming overly messy, the head and neck are unfeathered — “like the bare arms of a butcher,” wrote an early naturalist. (learn more...)
LOCATION NOTES: All five caches in the "Beavecoon" series are located on the south side of Cross Creek County Park. This is a wild, unimproved area which attracts a LOT of hunters. Please be aware of the hunting seasons, and during the season, be sure to wear plenty of fluorescent orange (or better yet, wait until Sunday!) PA Hunting Season link. There is one common parking location to access all 5 caches.
Attack Plan: Do "Deer Mouse" and "Turkey Vulture", then go BACK to the parking area. Follow the trailhead I marked to go to "Fox Squirrel" and "Leopard Frog", and then head to the final from there. DON'T try to bushwack over to Leopard Frog -- you'll regret it!
"Turkey Vulture" sits atop a hill with a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. Consider what it would be like to have this view (the Turkey Vulture's view) of all the world!