Subject: [Tweeters] phenomenon's to consider (re: Snowy Irruptions)
Date: Dec 17 21:43:55 2005
From: Eugene and Nancy Hunn - enhunn323 at comcast.net


But, Mike, how would the Snowies know that there was a microtine banquet set for them down south while they are still up north?

Gene Hunn.
----- Original Message -----
From: mike denny
To: J & B Adamowski LaComa ; tweeters
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] phenomenon's to consider (re: Snowy Irruptions)


Hello All,
Just a short note to consider. It maybe that Snowy Owls move south into the northern tier states not because of prey base loss in the north, but microtine population explosions in the south. We are currently witnessing such an event here in the Walla Walla Valley. There are 3-4 microtine runs and burrows per square meter over most of the south half of the valley. Our conservative estimate is 400+ buteos, 125+ harriers, 12-15 Prairie Falcons and hundreds of Am Kestrels as well as many Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls and one Snowy Owl, plus a few Short-eared Owls. Also more coyotes and ravens than are normally seen. We have not had a confirmed Snowy Owl in this area since Nov.1996, when we again had a huge microtine population. Just another behavioral fractal to think about.
Later Mike

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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
1354 S. E. Central Ave.
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
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