>Second hand from Ken Knittle...
>
>
>A couple of weekends ago, Mark Houston was owling alone in the Loup Loup
>pass area of Okanogan county. The Barred Owls responded in the distance to
>his calling. The next thing he knew, one of them made a frontal attack on
>his face causing several severe lacerations above and below his eyes. He
>returned to his truck Fortunately his eyes were spared but he now has some
>nice scabs to show for his adventure.
>
>Great Horneds are quite famous for this stunt, but has anyone ever heard of
>this type of reaction from Barreds?
>
>I haven't been able to talk with Mark to get the entire story.
>
>Scott Ray

Loup Loup campground in the Okanogan has been a known nesting site for
Barred Owls for some years (exact number ?). We've seen downy young right
in the campground. Barred Owls might prey on another's young, correct? So
it should not be unexpected that a mom or dad Barred Owl would attack a
threat to its young.

We've always thought it great fun to call in the Barred Owls at Loup Loup.
Sounds like we were lucky.

--Jerry Tangren
<tangren at wsu.edu>