Vultures Have Taken Over a Parking Lot in New Paltz

It is not unusual to see vultures in the Hudson Valley. They are native to our area and quite abundant. Seeing a group of vultures is not really out of the ordinary. As a matter of fact, it can be expected this time of year when the deer seem to be hit more often by cars.

New Paltz, New York is a town where you are likely to see just about anything so seeing vultures would not be considered shocking. Typically you can see vultures sitting on rooftops in New Paltz warming themselves on cold mornings over a home's heat vents. Rooftops are one thing but what about a group of these big black birds at a shopping area?

What do You Call a Group of Vultures

Recently a large group of vultures has been calling Water Street Market home. The kettle of vultures flies in landing in trees and on fencing in the parking lot near the Antiques Barn. In flight, they are called a kettle of vultures, once they are set up on the fence the group is then referred to as a committee, and if you ask me it really does look like a meeting.

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I heard about this group from some friends who had seen them but it wasn't until this morning I got to see them for myself. There had to be at least 20 of these big black birds sitting in the trees and on the dumpster, the Market uses for refuse.

Why Are These Vultures Gathered in New Paltz New York

When I got out of my car to investigate only one bird stayed on the parking lot fence the rest either flew down to the dumpster or up into the trees. It seems that the Water Street Market dumpster has turned into their morning meeting site.

What I found funny is that Water Street has a great coffee shop where many people enjoy getting their morning coffee and now it seems the vultures have caught on. I don't really think that this committee of vultures is coming for the coffee. I think it is more about the goodies they are finding in the dumpsters that are tossed out by the restaurants at the market.

There are five delicious places to get food at Water Street Market and they all use the dumpster so I am thinking that the vultures have struck pay dirt. Now that the secret is out I expect the group will grow.

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