The Turkeys Strike Back
Last April I wrote Cold Turkey, a true story about my encounter with a giant turkey, who I named Freedom, outside my apartment in Brookline on a cold, rainy day. Well, this morning Universal Hub reported that the turkeys are back out in full-force. A contributing photographer for the Brookline Tab snapped a slew of photos of a wild turkey as it chased some poor woman around her car after she got out to check on the status of said turkey. Apparently the turkey, who is at least half the size of the six-foot tall Freedom, was just lounging in the middle of Beacon Street.
Just last week the Brookline Police Department issued a caution for parents and children to be on the lookout for turkeys while walking to school. They offered the following (hilarious) advice:
· Don’t feed the turkeys — Keep wild things wild! Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause turkeys to act tame and may lead to bold aggressive behavior, especially in breeding season.
· Keep bird feeder areas clean — Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts turkeys and other wild animals. Clean up spilled seed daily. Remove feeders in the spring, as there is plenty of natural food available for all birds.
· Don’t let turkeys intimidate you — Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey with loud noises, swatting with a broom or with water from your garden hose.
· Cover windows or other reflective objects — If a turkey is pecking at a shiny object such as a window or car, cover or disguise it.
· Protect your gardens or crops — You can harass turkeys searching for food in your gardens. Dogs are effective in scaring turkeys away. Netting is another option.
· Educate your neighbors — Pass this information along; your efforts will be futile if neighbors are providing food for turkeys or neglecting to act bold towards the birds. It requires the efforts of many to help keep the wild turkeys wild.
I think it’s more obvious than ever that the turkeys are planning some sort of preemptive strike against Brookline before Thanksgiving. Unless we leave the turkey’s land now, we can expect a surge in turkey attacks in the coming weeks as the buildup to war approaches.
