>>Perhaps this is a naïve question on my part - but how can an owl die of starvation this early in the winter? I would have thought that fields and woodlands would be full of rodents.
When northern owls come this far south in invasive numbers like they have this year, it is pretty much a sign that the food source up north is not sufficient to sustain the population. Chances are most birds are already pretty weak when they get here so even though there are plenty of rodents still running around, who knows how much energy they have to hunt them. Some will probably re-energize while others are probably just too far gone to make it. Steve had a dead one delivered to him last week I believe. I guess the good thing is that word generally gets out when these guys are seen and it may be a little easier to track on what's happening. Ann Johnson Norwalk, IA --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
