Adam, as you probably know, "threats" come in many forms, not just killing. >From what I've read and been told, barred owls pose a threat to the survival of spotted owls through territorial competition, hybridization and, yes, maybe even outright killing. I'm not sure I understand your second point, but I'm sure research into niche separation between these two species is valid -- so far it appears that the barred owl is a habitat generalist whose habitat choices and uses overlap that of the spotted owl's more limited niche. And I'm also not sure what your third point implies -- I'm sure we have plenty of barred owl museum specimens.
Warren Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist (503)246-8613 -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of adam herbert Sent: Sunday, 29 April, 2007 20:33 To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: draft recovery plan for northern spotted owls raises questions about management 1) are barred owls active predators of spotted owls? if not "threat" seems a bogus claim 2) at what landscape measure might niche separation be accenuated? identification of species-specific nesting/prey/acoustic differences might guide restorative management if marginal spotted owls tolerate some landscape/habitat difference 3) if barred owls are to be blasted, every single one should have full gut/parasite/reproductive analysis and museum quality specimen of skeleton and skin made Adam Herbert "recycling rewards consumption" - William McDonough
