Barry & Tweeters,
I have not noticed a drop in Northern Saw-whets this year. They seem to
be about as numerous as last year which was a big year for them here on
Bainbridge- I recorded 57 NSWO in 21 owling trips. This year I had 6 for
the Kitsap CBC.
As for their interaction with Barred Owls, I have not personnally
witnessed one. I would think that they being significantly smaller and
more prone to hugging tree trunks than WSOW that they would fare better.
I do have indirect evidence that suggests that Barred Owls do impact
their population, or at least their response. When NSWO first become
responsive to calls in October, they can be found fairly easily in
suitable habitat. By December, I frequently no longer get responses from
NSWO if the habitat is also BDOW habitat. I also think that NSWO are
more nomadic and that may be a reason for fewer responses.

Jamie Acker
Bainbridge Island,WA
Biowler1 at juno.com

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