FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] FW: And the "Hoot" goes on !!

[barbara chambers <bj.chambers@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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From: "Donald Sweig" <dsweig@xxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 17:10:56 -0500
To: "'barbara chambers'" <bj.chambers@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: And the "Hoot" goes on !!

Beyond belief !! This fall's remarkable owl irruption continues. There are
now over 500 reports of GREAT GRAY OWL sightings, and another 125 NORTHERN
HAWK OWL sightings. These species may be seen almost anywhere in northern
Minnesota now. Some birders saw 30-50 owls in one day last weekend.  The
irruption is likely the result of the four year low point in the population
cycle of the small rodents that make up most of the prey for these species,
combined with a very wet and cold summer across Canada that resulted in a
further reduction in the available food. Numbers of these species increase
in our area every four years or so (following the prey cycle), but this
year's irruption is unprecedented. Over 300 BOREAL OWLS have been banded in
northeastern Minnesota this fall, another astounding number. However, these
were all birds that were netted at night, banded, and released immediately.
I am aware of 

no other sightings of this species.




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