Trail Talk: Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve

Last week, wild turkeys took over my yard. Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But when I looked out my window and saw four adult turkeys and about fourteen poults (young turkeys) bobbing along in front of my door, I felt a little like pinching myself, to see if it was real. It was an awfully cute sight to see these little ‘turklets’ following their mothers around, and it also reminded me that my yard isn’t actually mine. It belongs to the creatures in our local ecosystem.

On their way through my yard, the turkeys were foraging the ground for plants and insects. The poults tend to eat more insects because they use the protein to grow rapidly, while the adults eat mostly plant material such as nuts, buds, seeds and fruits. Turkeys can be seen in groups of up to 60 individuals. Backyards can be a suitable place for wild turkeys to find food, but even better are open wooded areas that hold a greater diversity of flora than the plain green grass of the suburban lawn.

Luckily, preserving open space where wild turkeys and other animals can find diverse food sources has been a priority in the past in Northern Westchester. One such preserved area of land bears the name of its wild inhabitant: Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve in Yorktown Heights.

Turkey Mountain is one of the highest places in Westchester County. That said, it only reaches an elevation of 831 feet at its peak, which pales in comparison to our neighboring highland peaks. As a result, Turkey Mountain is a nice easy hike with a relatively good view of the surrounding area, including the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. I would recommend Turkey Mountain to anyone who is looking for a relaxed but rewarding day hike. It is also a good hike for children since it does not require too much effort but provides a nice view at the top.

Turkey Mountain Nature preserve has five trails that total a little over three miles. This nature preserve is owned by the town of Yorktown and was preserved because of the efforts of concerned citizens. Now, it is part of a very important wildlife corridor and trail system in Westchester that includes Sylvan Glen Preserve, FDR State Park, and Granite Knolls. The best we can do as we enjoy these trails is to remember out part by leaving the preserve better than we find it.

To get to Turkey Mountain Preserve, take Route 118 South from the center of Yorktown Heights. It will be about two miles down on your right.  

Happy Hiking!