Steve Wilson, DNR Ecologist based in Tower, MN wrote on1/12/05: Numerous starved boreal owls have started turning up in the North Shore area in recent days. I would expect the numbers to increase as the bitter cold weather hits later this week.
If you find one near a feeder, please make sure the feeder is full and there is lots of seed on the ground. While Boreal Owls cannot eke out an existence on proso millet, the voles and mice they are seeking will. If you find a BOOW on private property, perhaps you might approach the Owner of the property, explain the circumstances, and inform them that if they feed in the area plentifully, it might help the BOOW's chances. At leas t inform them of the significance of this chunky flat headed Owl. It is sad but inevitable that the life cycle in an irruption year will end this way for so many. I am really proud of the feedback I have gotten from out of state visitors, commending MN birders and citizen's for their stewardship of this event. I think everyone is making sure we keep the well-being of the owls in mind. I am making plans to go up to Cook and Lake County to hang Boreal Owl nesting boxes in prime habitat that might be missing nest tree size aspen for Flickers to excavate, perhaps we can have these rotund Owls tooting to us soon as they attract mates. If anyone else wants s to help Bill Lane with this effort, please contact him at [email protected] Good Birding.=20 FYI. Mark Alt=20 President,=20 Minnesota Ornithologists Union J. F. Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota 10 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104 MOU.mn.org [email protected] Cell: 612-803-9085
