Tweeterfolk,

I would like to address a parallel thread--are we as tweeters placing so
"public" an owl in danger by interferring with its ability to hunt? I
ask this as I have heard, I hope incorrectly, that the Great Gray owl
seen by great numbers of people up in Vancouver DIED, apparently having
starved to death. I will be honest in stating that I have never considered
that one of the potential consequences of chasing a bird might be its death.

Chris Hill wrote, "There is a good chance that catching and handling the
owl could affect it behavior and prevent other people from observing it."
In this specific case, if the bird is placed in peril by HUMAN behavior,
I think this should outweigh the consequences of it being seen by fewer
birders. I would personally feel terrible to know that the only two
great gray owls to appear in this neck of the woods in some time had died,
possibly due to humans disturbing its ability to hunt. I do not want to
appear as righteous--I was hoping to go up and see the owl myself.

I will end on this possible fortuitous consideration: if this owl was in any
danger of being "loved to death", then
it is possible that the owl may actually BENEFIT from being tagged--by
being disturbed enough to relocate (or being relocated by the tagger?) so
that people would no longer hinder its ability to hunt. You may note
that the bird has not been seen since being tagged. :>)

Tom Cotner
tcotner at u.washington.edu
(206)543-6755