HI ALL:
Bainbridge Island birder Jamie Acker has just had his Island Owl paper
published in the latest issue of Northwestern Naturalist. Bottom line is:
Western Screech-Owls, gone, Barred Owls belching! Details here:

Recent Trends in Western Screech-Owl and Barred Owl Abundances on
Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Abstract
In an ongoing 15-y study concerning population dynamics of Barred Owls
(Strix varia) on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, Washington, I
documented a steep decline in the Western Screech-Owl (Megascops
kennicottii) population and a steady increase in the Barred Owl
population. From 1995 through 2010, I conducted 358 auditory playback
surveys that showed both changes in abundance and spatial distribution of
both species on the island. Statewide Christmas Bird Count data from the
same time period also reflect an overall decline in the Western
Screech-Owl population and an increase in the Barred Owl population.
Further, at least 2 other studies have shown Western Screech-Owl to be
prey for Barred Owl, also contributing to the body of evidence that leads
to a possible correlation between the increasing number of Barred Owls and
the decline of Western Screech-Owls.

sincerely
--

Ian Paulsen
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
Visit my BIRDBOOKER REPORT blog here:
http://birdbookerreport.blogspot.com/