Tweeters:



Seems that Great Horned Owls aren't too picky in prey items, and the last few months there have been good numbers around. We had 11 on the Sequim-Dungeness CBC this year, a high number, and I see Victoria, BC had 31 (!). At Graysmarsh alone we had 3, including a mid-day bird that allowed approach within 20 ft, bringing about a great photo (nice work Anne Winskie). That said, we scraped by with just two on the Everett-Marysville CBC (thanks to the Prices' place in area 9, Lake Stevens). Years ago I recall spotting one atop a small fir right in the wooded I-5 median (!) coming into Everett as the car slowed in northbound traffic at dusk. Guess it was figuring on a rat dinner. I've heard a Gr Horned pair this week hooting in our woods by the house, and notably a stray cat loyal to our north porch hasn't been around (could have just moved on, of course).



Reflecting on the issue of prey weights relative to predator and domesticated animal prey, one of my wife's relatives reported an incredibly gruesome predation on a calf in 2008. (Disclaimer: don't read on if bleeding makes you sick). The Golden Eagle is pretty common in n.e. MT, and birds become almost residential at times on the edges of remote Circle, MT.



A calf a few days old was killed by an ad. Golden Eagle. The bird came down and circled, then made a pass twice in vain--the calf dodged and the bird was apparently intimidated by an ad cow also trying to deflect the bird's attention. Finally the bird swooped into the calf and,

using its talons, effectively gouged deep furrows on one flank and then alit to do the same on the other--the calf succumbed

a short time later. After the herd left, the bird moved in to feed. My wife's cousin said it was about the most grotesque thing he'd ever seen, and he said ranchers out that way aren't real big on Goldens...



Heard from a farmer up at Louella years ago (this beautiful farm valley is at about 1200' elevation s. of Sequim in n.e. Olympics) that Com. Ravens have killed lambs there on occasion. No description of how this was done, however.



Scott Atkinson

Lake Stevens

mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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