Brian et others,
After making the long haul and missing the bird by 15 minutes or so, I was
left wondering whether the bird was taken by Fish and Wildlife because it
appeared to be ill. Such does not necessarily seem to be the case. My
question then is why was the bird taken? I'm not just asking this because
I missed it. Was it causing too big a disruption to downtown Everett? Or
did someone decide this was in the best interest of the bird? I'm often
skeptical of anointed humans deciding what's in the best interest of
wildlife. Am I missing an something obvious?

Barry Levine
Seattle
levineb at belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998, B&P Bell wrote:

> Hi Tweets -
>
> The Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) is no longer on the tree in the
> median of Hewitt Ave. in Everett. At approximately 2:30 p.m. this
> afternoon Fish & Wildlife with the assistance of the Everett Fire
> Department captured the owl. Using a fire dept. truck with a long boom
> and basket, and a long pole with a noose which was lowered over the owl,
> the owl was snared and brought (flapping) into the basket. It was then
> placed in a large carrier (used often for dogs). Speaking with one of
> the Fish & Wildlife Enforcement personnel, the bird will be checked for
> its health. If it is healthy it will be released in a more suitable
> location. If it is not healthy, it will be fed back up to health and
> then released.
>
> I have mixed feelings about this - emotionally I would like to have seen
> the bird remain free. Intellectually I feel this was likely in the
> long-term best interests of the owl - there are too many "loose cannons"
> out there.
>
> In relation to Don's question as to whether the folks down in California
> ever figured out what the Fair Oaks bird lived on, I never heard whether
> it was determined what the food source was. I wouldn't be surprised if
> it had been rodents - the surrounding area is comprised of large lot
> homes with much vegetation immediately next to the riparian growth of
> the American River Parkway. Certainly plenty of rodents around.
>
>
> Good Birding,
>
> Brian H. Bell
> Woodinville Wa
> bellasoc at isomedia.com
> Birding and Natural History Guide
>