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From: dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sam Conway)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: A Home for an Owl
Message-ID: <19702@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU>
Date: 25 Feb 90 17:30:41 GMT
References: <14233@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Sender: news@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU
Distribution: usa
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
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In article <14233@cbnews.ATT.COM> pmd@cbnews.ATT.COM (Paul Dubuc) writes:
>
>A small grey owl has recently taken up residence in my yard.  It's a
>North American Screech Owl.  I think it's quite wonderful for me, since
>I live in a residential area of the city where owls are not a common
>sight.  There's a problem, though.  It has apparently made its home
>in a hollow spot in an old and dying silver maple tree.  The trees is by
>the street and the city has marked it to be cut down.  I don't know how
>long the city will take to get to the tree (could be several more months).
>
>I would like the owl to stay if it's happy here (i.e., it has enough food
>and all) but don't know what to do to help it, if anything.  I could call
>the city and see if they will spare the tree until the owl moves out.  I
>could let them cut down the tree and disrupt the owl's home.  Will, or can,
>it find another easily?  Or, would it be possible to buy or build a suitable
>house for it in another tree, and hope the owl will move into it?  I have
>five other mature and healthy trees in my yard.
>

I sent an e-mail reply to Mr. Dubuc, but I feel I should mention a few
things publicly as well.  First, a surprisingly little-known fact:
ALL RAPTORS ARE PROTECTED BY FEDERAL LAW!  This includes all hawks and
owls, whether officially "endangered" or not.  If Mr. Dubuc informs the
city that the owl is nesting in this dead tree, the city has a legal
obligation to relocate the owl prior to removing the tree, or refrain
from cutting the tree down entirely.  

Should anyone else encounter a similar situation, the first thing to do
is contact the local Fish&Game/Conservation officer (Game Warden, if you
will).  That department usually handles such things.  If, as sometimes
unfortunately happens, this department does not seem to care, then the
local Audubon Society should be the next one to call.  

If possible, the presence of the owl should not be broadcast to neighbors
or other town residents.  We have had situations where curious neighbors
have "just wanted to get a look at the owl", and gone climbing around in
the tree and poking their noses into the nesting hole.  Such a thing is
very trying for a little owl, and should be avoided!

--
Sam Conway                               *
dragon@eleazar.dartmouth.edu             *   Don't mention the war!
Chemistry Dept., Dartmouth College, NH   *   I mentioned it once, but I
Vermont Raptor Center (VINS)             *   think I got away with it...