Newaygo County barn owl, NOT.

[Russell Emmons]

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Russell Emmons 
  To: Vinnie Sutherland 

  Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 2:55 PM
  Subject: Re: Newaygo County barn owl, NOT.


  Over the years I've heard of or had reported to me many sightings by locals of Barn Owls. Most, as  has just been discussed on Mich-listers, are in fact Barred or Great Horned. A few times we've even found Eastern Screech present up in the barn lofts, silos, or other outbuildings.  Another possibility not mentioned is Short-eared Owl. They too are endangered status but more common in Michigan then Barn Owls. They are very light colored  underneath and also fly with the wavering moth like flight as Barn Owls. When caught in car headlights at night along a road this can be deceiving!
     There still remains several of these sightings that people, some experienced birders, INSIST that what they see or have seen are in fact Barn Owls!    
                                                                                                                                                                                                  I agree that hordes of birders not be traipsing around possibly disturbing such rare species.---However----

     "They" have encouraged property owners for years to put up the specially designed Barn Owl boxes and I assume some have been erected around the state--?  (I have planned myself to put up a couple way out in the abandoned back field.)
      Not too long ago  NMB members reported Barn Owls at a farm in Holmes county Ohio which is not that far from SE Michigan. At first I was skeptical until right there were the excellent photos big as life of a pair of Barn Owls in a silo-- bless em!
      With this all having been said,  how do we know there are not scattered pairs in places in MI?  How would we ever know if these reported"sightings" were not listened to, looked into, followed up on and tape playbacks used if deemed needed? I think it important enough!  

       I think a very small percentage of birders violate the ethics pertaining to rare and endangered species and the ethics pertaining to the respect and privacy of landowners and/or residents!

  Russ Emmons, St. Clair county








    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Vinnie Sutherland 
    To: mich-lister 
    Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 8:33 AM
    Subject: Newaygo County barn owl, NOT.


    After spending three nights out in the field it appears that the two birds I mistakenly took for Barn Owls are indeed immature Barred Owls.  On all nights they were present, very active, and in the company of an adult Barred Owl.  At one point I distinctly heard begging behavior.
    I deeply regret my, now apparent, hasty reporting, and any undo excitement, consternation this might have caused.

    Vinnie Sutherland




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