I have occasionally seen Western Screech Owls in Seattle in smaller
patches of wooded area and less mature wooded areas than I have normally
seen Barred Owls. These include wooded patches less than maybe 1 or 2
acres or maybe more irregular in shape than a round to square patch
greater than say 100 m / yds diameter. At least for now it seems that
the Barred Owls are colonizing wooded areas, maybe 40 years old or
older, that are more than a couple of acres or maybe more than say 150
yds/m diameter. Western Screech Owls historically did well in these
larger patches of woods also, but have disappeared or almost disappeared
from a number of these habitats where they were up to 12 years ago or
more before the Barred Owl became so common here.

I suspect that the Western Screech will persist better in this less
prime Barred Owl habitat with its smaller tree patches more irregular
patches and lower average maturity for a while to come, than they will
in the larger, relatively older wooded patches that the Barred Owls now
seem to prefer.

I once heard some jays mobbing something here in West Seattle. I looked
around and thought "not good Barred Owl habitat - Jays and not crows,
must be a Screech Owl" Sure enough there was a Western Screech in a
thick patch of vegetation about 3 feet above the ground.

--
-Stewart.

Stewart Wechsler

Sharing Knowledge and Enthusiasm for Plant, Animal and Fungi and the
mutually supportive local communities that we humans share with them

Nature walks and adventures for all ages and levels:
child to grandchild, novice to old professor

West Seattle

206 932-7225