Hi, Tweets

I've been reading with interest the many thoughtful comments on the
barred/spotted owl "controversy." I agree with several people and
disagree with others; that's the way it should be, in my opinion.

People and their practices are the problem, there seems to be no
argument there. But when I look back over my rather long lifetime I
see people "thinning" out other people for no sensible reasons, be it
an African nation, a Middle Eastern nation, or a European nation. I'm
sure it did no "good." To try to make room for spotted owls by
thinning out the barred owl populations, doesn't seem to me that it
would be to much good either. As Gene and others have said, if you
remove one barred owl, more will move into the area. There is no
shortage of barred owls, at present.

Another thought I had was that wouldn't there be a possibility of
other shooters, i.e. not those with authority, to be out hunting
owls, too, with no real idea of which species was which? F&W may try
to keep it quiet, but we know how long that usually works. Very soon
it will be in the papers and who knows the possible consequences.

I don't "hate" any species. Some are surely nuisances, but they have
a right to live. Again, my opinion. I can still remember sitting here
at my computer and looking up to see a just-fledged (from being a
brancher) barred owl sitting on a limb about six feet away. It seemed
curious about my cat on the window sill and me at my keyboard. I know
they are around and I also know that I no longer have screech owls,
but that's the way it goes in the natural world.

Cheers, Diann

Diann MacRae
Olympic Vulture Study
22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
Bothell, WA 98021
tvulture at vei.net