Larry,

On the owling trips I've taken the leaders have always been careful to shine
the light NEAR the owl, but not directly AT it, so that the bird is visible
not by the intense light of the central beam, but by the outside part of the
light and perhaps some reflected light. I have no doubt shining a powerful
spotlight directly in an owl's eyes might well damage them permanently, but
research on something so obvious would involve cruelty to the subject
animals. Rather like some research I read about recently where a
pseudo-scientist heated Saw-whet Owls in an oven to see at what temperature
they would expire.

Paul Webster
Seattle
paul.websterATcomcast.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Schwitters" <lpatters at ix.netcom.com>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2004 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Rare birds and reactions, was Boreal owl


> Tweeters,
>
> I remember tales of the tape recording of a Spotted Owl bringing it both a
> Spotted Owl and a Great Horned. Same for Screech and Great Horned.
> Perhaps
> Barred Owl has also been an attracted, documented predator. Do any of you
> know
> if this is more than urban legend? It makes sense, and I wouldn't want to
> be
> the one with my finger on the playback button when it happens.
>
> It also seems that putting a million candlepower spot light in an owl's
> eyes
> might have some negative effects. I wonder if this has been researched.
>
> Larry Schwitters
> Issaquah
>
> Rob Sandelin wrote:
>
>> Ted Kenefick posted his reposonses about his feelings and reactions in
>> posting about seeing a Boreal Owl. When a rare or highly sought after
>> bird
>> is reported on this list it has both a positive and negative effect.
>
>
>