Turkey vulture festival in Kern River Valley

Sierra Vista Restaurant on Highway 178 in Weldon has added these items to its menu for the weekend: Vulture Stew, Road Kill Quiche and Compost Fruit Salad.

That can only mean one thing: It's time for the annual Kern Valley Autumn and Vulture Festival, coinciding with the remarkable abundance of these bald, red-headed raptors within the Kern River Valley above Bakersfield.

Activities are scheduled Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Audubon Society's Kern River Preserve, 18747 Highway 178, in Weldon.

Renowned ornithologist and artist John Schmitt -- I've toured the valley with him and he's an amazing birder -- will discuss vultures and raptors. Among activities: bird walks; children's activities; workshops on bird feeding, birds of prey, rare plants and weather; and live music.

Little-known turkey vulture fact: They are the only scavenger birds that can't kill their prey. Their feet are not strong enough, but their powerful beaks can tear through even the toughest cow hide. They feed by thrusting their heads into the body cavities of rotting animals.

Sierra Vista Restaurant is at 16575 Highway 178. Enjoy! (And in case you're wondering, the the restaurant isn't serving real turkey vulture, road kill or compost.)

--Pete Thomas

File photo by Casey Christie/Bakersfield Californian

Comments

[Jon K.]

They can't kill their own prey? Wow. I'm sure they're happy that road kill exists.