West Linn turkeys inviting themselves into backyards, patios and decks

West Linn's wild turkeys may seem a little intimidating to young students at Willamette Primary School. But a lot of adults in the city's Willamette neighborhood have been enjoying the visits for quite a while.

"The turkeys have been in the Willamette neighborhood since October or November," said Shelly Wert, who lives near Willamette Park. "They've been hanging out in several other neighbors' yards near the school."

Sean and Rebecca Weiss, who live just five houses down from Willamette Primary, said the turkeys aren't at all bashful about pecking around in their backyard. One bold, inquisitive bird even peeked in the back door.

"Two were regular visitors to our yard, foraging through our garden throughout the summer and falland picking off all the raspberries -- their favorite," said Rebecca Weiss. "They were not afraid of people."

On Wednesday, officials at Willamette Primary School called West Linn police because a turkey was approaching students as they neared the front door a little unnerving because the bird is almost as tall as they are.

Officer Brad Moyle saw the turkey, but was unable to catch it. He guessed that someone had hand-fed the bird sometime in the past, unwittingly teaching it that people any people will give it a tasty handout.

Moyle said Community Service Officer Peggy Jones planned to meet with members of the American Wildlife Foundation, a Molalla-based nonprofit, to explore the possibility of trapping and relocating turkeys who have lost their fear and became nuisances.

For adults, however, the birds mostly have been a source of wildlife-in-the-city entertainment.

"We just 'shoosh' them off when we want them to move on, and they go peacefully," Wert said. "I hate to think they would be euthanized. We've enjoyed having them around."

-- Rick Bella

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West Linn turkeys inviting themselves into backyards, patios and decks