Despite the abnormally dismal weather we have experienced this spring that
has been detrimental to many of our breeding birds, Barred Owls have
apparently had an especially prolific year on Bainbridge. Barred Owls were
first detected here in 1993, and in the 14 years that I have been owling on
Bainbridge and in my twelve years conducting an annual census of their
population in July, I have seen their numbers increase to this year's
unprecedented high of at least 20 pairs. This year, for the first time,
juveniles outnumbered adults in my census, with many nests fledging three
young, and my first ever fledging of four. All told, I located 41 adults and
45 juveniles for a total of 86 Barred Owls. For comparison, last year's
total was 61 Barred Owl, and the year before that was 54. I still do not
have a grasp of what their eventual saturation number will be, as I have
seen this year that as the number of birds increases the territories get
smaller, with apparently no detrimental effect to their breeding success.
My oldest bird's original territory has been reduced twice now, and is home
to three pairs of Barred Owls.



I can only hope that the Spotted Owls are having a phenomenal year.





J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, WA

Owler at sounddsl.com



A voice unspoken (or unwritten) is a voice unheard.

Be heard!