Hi All,
After careful consideration of the ethical questions, I decided to try using
a tape to flush out local Barred Owls. In the last year or so, the owls,
usually Barred and Northern Pygmy, have seemed quite scarce. I made a new
tape using the recording by Lang Elliott on the Stokes Field Guide to Bird
Songs. [If you haven't heard these, they are absolutely excellent
recordings. The sound quality is clear and crisp, good volume. Most of the
recordings include calls and songs. Too bad he isn't doing the Western
Edition of same, but maybe the quality will be the same. Here's hoping.
]
Anyway, new tape in recorder, off I went. At the first stop, playing the
recording brought two Common Ravens, who circled overhead, lower and lower.
I stopped the tape, and they flew off. Started the tape again, and they were
back in a flash, again clearly interested in finding the source of the call.
The second playback also stirred up the neighbor's dog. The next stop was in
my fields. This time the playing of the tape drew the attention of the 5
resident cows. First they stared intently in the direction of the sound.
Then they charged. I was glad for the fence separating them from me.
Later, about dusk, I tried again. This playback brought alarm gobbles from a
flock of Wild Turkeys who were settled in another neighbors fields.
So all and all, no owls but 2 avenging ravens, 5 stampeding cows, 1 noisey
dog and a flock of distraught turkeys.

Ain't birding a grand experience.

Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
spitler at wkpowerlink.com