Subject: Re: "Yard bird" owls back east
Date: Jul 18 13:49:35 1996
From: Maureen Ellis - me2 at u.washington.edu


Dennis, I appreciate the information......and any new knowledge would
never diminish the "mystique" aspect of seeing these owls, at least for me
(hopelessly established egghead, anyway!). My owl list is skimpy; so,
seeing any new owl anywhere is wonderful.

Last season had the good fortune of seeing the wintering Northern Saw-whet
owls at Reifael (spelling?) Refuge near Vancouver, BC. Not just one, but
a half-dozen! scattered in low conifer branches at eye level..........
calmly roosting almost within arm's reach. Astonishing!
Again, thanks, me2
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On Thu, 18 Jul 1996, Dennis Paulson wrote:

> Actually, I've always considered Barred Owls rather tame and easily
> approached. I don't think they are shy, but they live in dense forests and
> thus "avoid human habitats." They are common almost everywhere there are
> woodlands in Florida, and some state parks and nature trails are known as
> fairly easy places to see them during the daytime. They are often more
> common than Great Horned Owls (i.e., their population density is greater in
> their preferred habitat, as much as anything because they are smaller),
> perhaps more difficult to find in the daytime just because their preferred
> roost sites feature denser vegetation. I would say they have a lot in
> common with Spotted Owls, but--fortunately for them--they have a wider
> habitat preference. They nest in several forested parks in Greater
> Seattle.
>
> I don't want to take away the mystique of your seeing them, Maureen;
> they're great birds!
>
> Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
> Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
> University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
> Tacoma, WA 98416
>
>
>