Subject: Re: Spotted Owls and Right Habitats
Date: Nov 19 00:32:00 1998
From: "S. Downes" - sdownes at u.washington.edu


Tweets,
In my opinion, the only *right* reason for moving this Owl was due to its
possible harm by the *more intelligent* (highly debatable) humans. I doubt
many citizens even notice Bristle-thighed Curlews, vagrant warblers,
or most other vagrants that come into WA (except when the get put into the
newspaper). Since there has been alot of contoversy over this bird during
the 90's ,my opinion is that why give people a chance to do something
stupid like harassing it or shooting it. It might or might not have been
sickly, I don't know all the facts on that one, but if the young owl can
find its necessary resources in a non-populated area then give the owl a
chance in that environment. I don't think its neccessary to put it in
optimal habitat as the bird will most likely find its way to a suitable
territory if it survives the winter. Do I always agree with government
wildlife practises, no. However at least with game biologists there is a
science background. Many public consensuses are made non-scientifically,
usually gut feeling. Before I get flamed here, public can inform
themselves and make informed decisions its just too often I see that the
public knee-jerks (scientists do as well, occasionally). So basically
relocating the bird was *probably* the best thing to do. Without studies
comparing the two scenarios we will never know. As Ruth said it is much
better to see this wonderful creature in the forest than a median strip.
I'm glad to see though that a bird related topic is finally occupying the
majority of the conservation on tweeters again.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA

"Birds don't read bird books. (That's why they are seen doing things they
are not supposed to do)." -Mary Wood


On Wed, 18 Nov 1998, Nigel Ball wrote:

> C'mon! Is the Washington Coast the right habitat for a Bristle-thighed
> Curlew? We're going to have some interesting birding experiences if taking
> birds back to their rightful habitats becomes a thing to do. Move that
> Murrelet! Deport that Diomedia! Let's have a sub-department of the F+G for
> putting fauna in its proper places. Still, if that's their thing I suppose
> we'll just have to groove with it (I'm fairly sure that they're right to try
> to save an owl, it's just that the hype seems less than honest).
>
> yrs provocatively,
> Nigel Ball
> Bainbridge
> nball001 at msn.com
>
>
>
>