[Tweeters] Dunlin Flocking Defense

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Ray,

   I've lived here in Skagit County (this time) for over 3 years.

   I've seen the Dunlin Murmuration at least a half dozen times.  I
don't dispute the "confuse the predators" aspect ... but I suspect it
is not the only reason they dance.
   Much more often than not there has not been a predator anywhere
near them.  I might have missed the predator once or twice but
not every time.
   It also seems like the murmuration is associated with the state of the
tide ... don't remember ever seeing it unless it was near high tide.  I
know that the Dunlins take a rest during the highest part of the tide.
   Finally - once, just this past week, I saw a group of Dunlins that
were feeding in a field area near the T ... and they got up and did
the dance several times ... and they were close enough that I'm certain
I didn't miss a predator.  They would dance, land and feed,
get up and dance again, etc.

   My guess at why they do it when there isn't a predator?  "Because we can"
(we know how)?  And perhaps even "Because it's fun!".  There are many
bird behaviors that seem, to this observer, to have more than one
"reason".  And some that seem to be pretty simple "one reason".
                                                                  - Jim