Dead Barn Owls
Mon, 5 Nov 2001 19:01:27 PST
From: Mark Westlund
Went up to the Sierra Foothills this weekend, and in one short (4+ mile) stretch of the delta road between Hwy 12 intersection and Jackson Slough Rd counted 11 dead Barn Owls by the roadside - even got out to verify species, which on that treacherous two-lane road is a deed indeed. None seen elsewhere along the drive through the delta farmland.
The owl I pulled over to see did not show any signs of trauma, but I'm sure that even a glance from a car would be fatal. Still, I'm baffled why deaths should be so concentrated. The road conditions on this bit of highway are no different than the remaining 14 miles to Hwy 99. The fields along the road had been harvested, which might rule out pesticides.
Any thoughts?
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Re: Dead Barn Owls
Mon, 5 Nov 2001 19:20:37 PST
From: Mark Rauzon
I saw a similar situation once on Hwy 5, a dead Barn Owl about every quarter-mile. The area had natural weedy areas on both sides of the highway. I was under the impression that foraging birds are working one side and head over to the other, normally crossing at sufficient height to avoid cars, but it's semi-tractor trailers with high cabs that hit them. Only a theory and a reflection of Barn Owl abundance.
Mark Rauzon
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Re: Dead Barn Owls
Mon, 05 Nov 2001 19:36:42 -0800
From: Joseph Morlan
Barn Owls and other owls frequently forage along road sides at night, capturing rodents which cross the roads. When they capture a mouse, they will often feed before flying off. That's one reason they may become traffic victims.
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044
California Birding, mystery birds:
http://fog.ccsf.org/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
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Re: Dead Barn Owls
Mon, 05 Nov 2001 21:47:36 -0800
From: Mary Smith
The same thing happens in Australia, where I lived for awhile, but it's a chain of events. Small animals (including wallabies and kangaroos) feed on the grain that spills from grain trucks at curves on rural roads. Traffic is light on many of those roads, and a mammal can eat itself turgid in a fairly short amount of time. Then along comes another truck and hits the mammal -- then the Wedge-tailed Eagles come along and eat the carcass. Then along comes a truck, the wedgie (unfortunate name ;) ) tries to take off and ... it's a sad ending.
There must be something special about California birds, though. In 13 months in rural Australia, I was in a car when it hit a bird approximately ten times all together. The birds rarely survive.
Yet in 38 years (minus 13 months) in California, I've never been in a car that's hit a bird.
And to make sure there's relevant EBB content: After having had a fairly disabled summer thanks to illness, I'm able to maintain my bird feeders again, but I think I've missed most of the migrants. What should I be looking for in the Fremont area at this time of year?
In addition, I still can't walk very far. Does the birding in Niles Park require much walking, or is most of it within a quarter-mile or so from the parking lot? Are there any other extremely accessible areas in the Fremont area that have fabulous birds at this time of year?
My spring was made complete with the regular visits of a pair of Hooded Orioles to my yard. I'm looking forward to a rich fall and winter, too.
Mary
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New website collects e-mail lists
Mon, 05 Nov 2001 23:21:22 -0800
From: Larry Tunstall
Dave Ranney has created a very useful new website where you can check recent postings from the many California birding e-mail lists, including this one. All e-mail addresses are removed from the messages before posting, and they stay on Dave's site for only 30 days.
If you are interested in keeping up with the latest birding news from all around the state, this site provides an easy way to do it without subscribing to several different lists:
Good birding, Larry
Larry Tunstall
El Cerrito CA
Re: Dead Barn Owls
Tue, 06 Nov 2001 09:40:02 -0800
From: Lisa Viani
Shouldn't this maybe be reported to Fish and Wildlife or Fish and Game? What if someone is poisoning them (accidentally or intentionally)?
Lisa Viani
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Re: Dead Barn Owls
Tue, 6 Nov 2001 11:11:10 PST
From: George McRae
I agree! Fish and Game should always be informed of a major carnage like this whatever the species. After all, roads get closed all the time during seasonal migrations like with newts in Tilden Regional Park. And one thing I have discovered is that Folks get around Environmental Impact Reports when they are trying to develop land by killing wildlife that may be in the way of their profit. This is not speculation! It is fact and happens all the time. The owls should be biopsied. It is irresponsible to sit back and not take any action. Then again it could be cars hitting low-flying owls in which case there should be traffic controls. Why is there a problem with that sort of thinking? Are we just bird watching for our lifelist egos or are we active in trying to preserve their existence?
George McRae
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