A clarification:

Re reading my post below I see it could be mis-interpreted as meaning that
the only idea I could think of for why the Great Horned Owls are declining
in the face of Barred Owl increases "is some kind of territorial thing". I
intended to mean that the only reason I could come up with for the Barred
Owl and Great Horned Owl attacks and threats to humans was some kind of
territorial thing. Now, thinking more, I'm theorizing that the juveniles,
now on their own, are harassing us as crows might harass a raptor, but soon
learn that we aren't bobcats or some kind of predator that they might
otherwise be programmed to harass.

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
mailto:ecostewart at quidnunc.net

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and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
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-----Original Message-----
From: Stewart Wechsler Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 3:09 PM

Patricia Thompson from 11-15-2006 Seattle Times: "Every fall (Great
Horned and Barred Owls) from Vashon Island to Bridle Trails State Park they
strike (people), ... Oddly, I have not had a report this year.

" I've had 2 or three reports of owls at least making threatening passes
at people this year. ... I've been seeing fewer and fewer Great Horneds
in recent years in the city. I'm suspecting that the Barred Owls are
somehow to blame. The only idea I could come up with is that it is some
kind of territorial thing. ... .Stewart ...
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