Hi Tweets,

Interesting story about Barred Owl behavior popped up on MSNBC today (see
below). I was just volunteering at a bird banding station this past weekend
and we had a Barred Owl land on one of the mist net poles and was so
unafraid of people, it didn't fly off until someone actually shook the pole.
Needless to say, we had to keep a close watch on the mist nets.

Megan Lyden, Bellevue, Washington

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. - There is a strange but important warning going out
surround owls on the attack. At least one serious incident has been reported
on Mercer Island, but wildlife biologists say this is the time of year
aggressive behavior can be on the rise.

Lisa Lansford, was jogging with her dog through Mercer Island's Pioneer Park
when she says she felt a thing grab on to the back of her head.

It was an owl.

"And then a second later the owl swooped down and went after my dog Mia,"
she told KING 5 News.

It was a real scare when the owl came back again.

"And then the owl came down a third time and actually tried to grab me and
just swooped down and then I just literally screamed and ran out of the park
at that point," she said.

Joggers and neighbors say they have seen the Barred owls for years.

Ann Rutledge has seen the peering eyes of the predator.

"I've just seen them up in the trees, and they basically watch you as you
walk by," she said. "They turn their head and watch as you walk by."

No other attacks have been reported, but that doesn't mean they are not
happening. The Washington State Department
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33208236/>
http://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2.gif of Fish and Wildlife says on
its Web site that at this time of year, the owls can become aggressive while
protecting their territory or their young.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33208236/





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