A couple of weeks ago our dog ingested some rat poison, which necessitated a
trip to a veterinary hospital in Ellensburg. While waiting for the dog to
regurgitate the veterinarian showed us a cage with 3 very young barn owls,
and another with a rather sick looking adult. They were caring for the owls
and hoped to release them when they recover.

The vet told us that they receive 40 to 100 barn owls each year from E Wash
farmers, who recover the birds from nests in hay stacks. They find the
birds when they move the hay stacks and break them apart, after which they
bring the owls to the vet.

All this is apparently done "pro bono", and without any self-congratulatory
publicity. It is nice to know that these farmers and the vets care enough
about these birds to make this effort.

I had no idea that hay stacks are apparently a preferred nesting site for
barn owls. This may be a good example of the agricultural community
contributing to the welfare of wildlife.

BTW, my Jack Russell recovered nicely after a shot of apomorphine.

Bill

Wm Mulligan
8423 Calif Av SW
Seattle WA 98136


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