I read jim Duncan's book and was interested about the studies he lsited he has done in MN. I emailed him and his response is below. His book is one of eh best I have read, really interesting, lots of anecdotes offset with data and good solid science.
Mark Alt Brooklyn Center, MN Hennepin County I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the Roseau Bog (Roseau County) this winter, and therefore do not have sightings to report. I have already reported to MN media persons and indirectly to MN bird chat groups that this year (2004) there was no gray owls using the nest structures in the Roseau Bog that I monitor every year (since 1984) and that the small mammal populations I monitor (since 1986) there in the fall were the lowest I have recorded since 1992. I hope this helps. I am very much looking forward to presenting a synopsis of my great gray research in MB and MN at MN's owl festival in March 2005. MN is a wonderful place that should take pride in its progressive management of forests in a manner that sustains great gray owls from a population that extends all the way to the Hudson Bay lowlands! Cheers, Jim =20 _________________________________________ Dr. James R. Duncan, Manager Biodiversity Conservation Section Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch Manitoba Conservation Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W3
