If you are a fan of turkey vultures, then this past weekend was definitely for you, as the first annual Turkey Vulture Festival took place Sunday in Port Hope.
Hundreds of people gathered along the Ganaraska River at Rotary Park and Farley Mowat Park for the inaugural festival, celebrating the turkey vultures that made Port Hope a yearly stop during their fall migration.
The birds were drawn to the area during the annual salmon run, feeding on dead salmon along the river and playing an important role as nature’s cleanup crew.
Organizer Caolaidhe Keelor — pronounced KAY-LEE — wife of Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor, was thrilled with the turnout and believes turkey vultures will now be much more familiar to those who got to see them up close.
The free festival ran until 3 p.m. and featured birds of prey, wildlife and conservation displays, family activities, a downtown scavenger hunt and fundraising to support turkey vulture research.
Live music also took place throughout the afternoon, including performances from Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, Matt Mays, Jimmy Bowskill and special guests.
Greg Keelor, hubby of Caolaidhe, says she has been instrumental in teaching him about birds such as these and others since they met on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver. Caolaidhe was putting on a show featuring hawks, eagles and turkey vultures when Greg met his future wife — and a bird he would not soon forget.
Both Keelors are hopeful that even more turkey vulture fans will come out next year for what they hope will become an annual event for many years to come.
(Written By: Richard Evans)
