martin et al_wild turkey roost microclimate data

We studied microclimate variables (specifically overnight wind speeds, air temperatures, and accumulated precipitation) at roost trees used by eastern wild turkeys (<i>Meleagris gallopavo silvestris</i>) near Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. We also measured tree characteristics (diameter at breast height and whether the tree was coniferous or deciduous). We measured the same conditions and characteristics at non-roost trees paired with the roost trees. We sampled 25 winter roost pairs and 30 summer roost trees (i.e., pairs in which the roost tree was known to be used by turkeys during winter and summer, respectively). For each pair, the non-roost tree was nearby (50 m away from the roost tree) and represented a tree that was available to turkeys but not apparently used (based on GPS-tagged turkeys and visual inspection for evidence of roosting). Data for winter roost trees were collected from December 1, 2022, to March 27, 2023; and data for summer roost trees were collected from June 1, 2023, to September 25, 2023.