Timber industry claimed today that spotted owls live fine in managed,
2nd growth (presumably even-aged) Doug Fir stands.

Any of you folks know anything about this?

I'm familiar with the fact that spotted owls do nest in certain
2nd growth redwood forests, but the mystery, once unravelled (by
a Simpson company biologist) didn't apply to Doug Fir forests.

So, this is news to me.

Actually, the claim I heard was that they're "found" in 2nd growth,
so I don't know if there's a claim of sufficient breeding success
to maintain a stable population (a claim written by biologists,
I mean - the industry's implication is clear in their claim).

I'm not trying to start a thread speculating one way or another,
simply asking if some of you academic ornithology types are aware
of any studies which substantiate the claim. Don't care if
they're industry, agency or independent biologists.

I'm mystified because I heard of the claims (and the work underlying
the claims quite quickly in regard to 2nd growth redwood, but haven't
heard any such claims regarding 2nd growth Doug Fir that hold water.

Who, me suspicious?

BTW I escaped the Red Lion without log truck treadmarks - they weren't
allowed to bring them this time. Darn. That's always been my favorite
part.

Lots of suspenders, chew, and dirty work clothes though.

-Don Baccus-