As you know, Barred Owls have bred in Discovery Park, probably since the late 1970s. Judging by their call patterns, there must certainly be two breeding pairs, perhaps even three! Reports of people being dive bombed by these impressive owls are of long standing, by hearsay joggers are often a target. I have not heard of a preference for female visitors.


The BNA account on the species, not the most helpful in my view, mentions only that diving attacks are likely made by female owls when the young are on the ground. Certainly young can be ground feeding in June & July, but I am not so sure about late September. I believe such attacks can be reported year round and it makes sense to me that they are related to territorial maintenance, especially if females are keeping territories separate from male birds.


Since I moved to near the gates to Discovery Park late last year, I have heard the "Who cooks for you" call on a nightly basis and in the daytime during breeding season. These calls have been coming steadily during

July, August & September. Don't know what to think about this "smoke & mirrors" stuff though!


David Hutchinson

Flora & Fauna Books

3213 West Wheeler St, #6

Seattle,WA 98199


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