BRL,
Good story. Actually it is not uncommon to thermal in company with various birds (hawks, eagles, turkey vultures, etc.); though not in V formation, admittedly. They can recognize thermals a lot better than any human (or human-designed instrument) can ... but beware, sometimes they sucker you into sink and then flap away! Who says that birds don't have a sense of humour.
MLS-12D
P.S. You were just kidding about the yellow (release) knob ... right?