Three brown and gray wild turkeys walk through a grassy, forested field in this photo provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Turkeys may not be the first species you think of when it comes to wildlife watching, but these birds may well be among the first you see this summer. That’s because this midseason period is when turkey broods are most visible and when you’re most likely to see hens crossing roads or foraging in fields with a line of little ones in tow.

If you do come across these busy birds, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to hear about it. The DNR is running its annual wild turkey brood survey, a community science effort for people statewide to report sightings of wild turkeys and turkey broods (hens with their young). By taking just a few minutes to report any turkeys you see, you’ll be adding valuable data that helps wildlife managers track the health of the state’s turkey population.

Anyone in Michigan can help by reporting wild turkey sightings now through Aug. 31, using the online turkey brood survey form to submit observations.