The owlet was blown off the nest by a severe thunder storm that moved
through the park the night of 5/11/11. Weeks younger than the owlet that
voluntarily left the nest and climbed up the tree. The park host (a non-birder,
who however had concern for the bird) called the rehab center who chose to
get the bird. Why the rehab center made the decision they did is unknown
unless someone cares to question them about it. I think all those involved
TRIED to do what was best for the bird. I think they should be commended
for what they tried to do. On some wildlife reserves they would have let
nature take it's course unless the bird was an endangered species, i.e. not
intervened one way or the other.

This string perhaps best serves to educate the rest of us on what actions
we might take if a owlet was blown of the nest in our back yard and we can
assess the situation first hand. And, of course, there are no simple
solutions. Everything seems to come with unintended consequences.

Jeff Jendro
Longview, WA
_jeffjendro at aol.com_ (mailto:jeffjendro at aol.com)