There have been a disturbing number of barred owls found in Mass.
as roadkill this fall, and the theory there is that there's been
some kind of somewhst abnormal population increase that's sent
more owls out roaming for prey and thus more roadkill.

I only repeat what I've read.  Sounds a little weak to me as an
explanation, but what do I know?   They've been imploring birders
there who find these dead birds to bring them to any of various 
places that are studying them for analysis, to age and sex them 
and see what their general condition is.  If they get enough to 
see any trends, they may know more in a few months.

In any case, we've got fewer roads and much less heavily traveled 
per square mile, and more suitable habitat, so they're showing up 
less as roadkill but more just in general?

Dunno.  Best I can come up with...

Jane



BUTLER, Bridget wrote:
> Greetings Everyone!
> 
> LOTS of BARRED OWL sightings it seems recently. We had our CBC
> on Friday and I think about 50% of our teams reported owls.
> One group had three! And these aren't owling teams...just the
> day-trippers!
> 
> Hmmmm, not enough prey in the interior that they're getting
> pushed out onto the edges??? Thoughts anyone??
> 
> Bridget
> 
> 
> Bridget Butler Audubon Vermont Conservation Education
> Coordinator 255 Sherman Hollow Road Huntington, VT 05462 
> 802-434-3068 www.vt.audubon.org [log in to unmask]
> 
> Listen to BEEKS-A Birding Geek's Radio Delight online at
> www.vt.audubon.org! Look for the animated two-headed bird on
> our homepage.
> 
>