If the continued predation of Long-eared and Short-eared Owls in the Amherst Island Owl Woods by an as yet unidentified predator was not bad enough, the arrival this week-end of a Barred Owl is bad news for the overwintering Saw-whet population there.
Despite having large numbers of Long-eared Owls and Saw-whet Owls present at the same time over the past 30 years, the only time I have witnessed Saw-whet predation has been when a Barred Owl is also present. These owls are also by far the most troublesome when they are present in the same area as a Saw-whet banding operation. It was not unexpected then that today the Barred Owl was seen carrying the remains of a Saw-whet Owl which it dropped at one point enabling us to identify it as an unbanded Saw-whet. Most likely it was the big female that has been roosting regularly in one of the pines along the east margin of the woods between the Cedar Woods and the Pine plantation. In addition, there was evidence of another fresh Long-eared/Short-eared kill, and there were a couple of feathers from what appeared to be a Boreal Owl although there was no evidence of any carnage nearby. So far there has been a rather significant decline in the owl population over the past several weeks - from 8 Saw-whets on January 9 to just 4 today, from 3 Boreals up to January 14 to 1 today, and from about 20 Long-eared Owls as recently as a week ago to just 2 today and yesterday. Whether these declines reflect the presence of predators, a declining food supply, or just chance, the fact is that the populations have declined significantly and rapidly during a period when we would have been expecting a gradual increase into March. Also, please be advised that the roads to the Owl woods are now impassable from both directions. Do not be fooled by the fresh tire tracks of those who persist in trying to drive up from the south. Short of a big plough on the front, your 4 wheel drive just ain't going to make it! Alex. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
