[wisb] Re: Great Gray Owl- Mauston, WI; Sunday's early morning observations...

  • From: Tom Sykes <sykes@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "<wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Network" <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 09:29:40 -0600

Jerry, mice are readily available (either live or frozen) from pet stores. 
These mice are readily sold to people who have snakes but anyone can purchase 
these mice for relatively little money. There are also outlets that sell mice 
to labs and universities although I suspect that these mice are much more 
controlled. One would hope that common sense dictates that no one would be so 
stupid as to deliberately use tainted mice although the lack of common sense 
with regard to the Great Gray Owl in this instance is quite breathtaking.


Tom Sykes
Wisbirdn List Owner
sykes@xxxxxxxxxx
(currently in South Texas)



On Mar 4, 2013, at 8:34 AM, Jerry Schoen <basketsandbirds@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> With all of the mouse feeding, I wonder where they are getting the food. If 
> they are acquiring they as a result of collecting  dead mice which have been 
> eating D-con they are giving out death food for the owl.Recent studies have 
> found the those mice carry enough residue to effect the health of the birds.
> 
> Jerry Schoen
> Whitwater
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Candace H.
> Sent: Sunday, March 03, 2013 11:11 PM
> To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [wisb] Great Gray Owl- Mauston, WI; Sunday's early morning 
> observations...
> 
> Contrary to other reports today, I observed the Great Gray Owl being baited 
> and inconsiderate individuals leaving the shoulders of the road and 
> trespassing onto private property to get a better photo-op.  This behavior 
> occurred between 6:45 a.m. and approximately 8:00 a.m. today, Sunday, March 
> 3rd.
> 
> I was among some of the early morning observers of the Great Gray Owl this 
> morning. I arrived approximately 6:45 a.m. and there was only one other 
> vehicle there. The owl was perched on the west side of the road in the small 
> trees. A few more cars gathered and for a time everyone was respectful and 
> well behaved. Then, the two photographers from Wis. started moving closer to 
> the bird and when it flew south up the road, they eventually moved their 
> gray vehicle (license plate 6*****) and parked it on the opposite side of 
> the road. After a while the photographer in the black jacket was seen by 
> others standing close to him to have tossed a mouse out; the owl of course 
> flew down and caught it, ate it and then returned to its perch.  The bird 
> flew down at least two more times and landed on the ground/short vegetation 
> within a couple feet of the road and looked expectantly at the crowd of 
> about 6-8 people, as if it were expecting to be tossed another
> pet shop rodent.
> 
> The bird then flew across to the east side of the road and landed in a 
> tree...that is when the one guy, followed by his buddy relocated to the 
> field where they could get a better vantage point for their photos.  I 
> stayed well back from the crowd and the owl and enjoyed viewing this 
> gorgeous bird through my scope.
> 
> I can certainly understand why the locals are starting to get perturbed. I 
> agree, common sense and comon courtesy seem to be lacking in some 
> individuals. It is disappointing that people cannot be respectful. I would 
> think that if you as a photographer invested as much money in your 
> equipment, that you would pride yourselves on taking authentic photographs. 
> You are not proving your skill as a photographer by staging shots, plus how 
> authentic is it to see a Great Gray eating a pet shop mouse?
> 
> I left about 8 a.m., just as a gentleman from Appleton was arriving (perhaps 
> this is the same person who posted to the listserv). I spoke with this 
> gentleman as I was leaving to inquire if he were local.  I wanted to find 
> out if someone perhaps knew who the landowner is who owned the property on 
> which others were trodding without permission. The sheriff's office 
> confirmed to me that only the landowner can make a trespassing complaint. 
> (I hadn't seen Ryan's posting about this until later in the day or else I 
> would have known this and would not have called the S.O. myself).
> 
> I am thankful to have been able to view this gorgeous bird, which I learned 
> about via this listserv, but I sort of agree with the  individual who 
> originally posted seeing this bird on this listserv; he said that he 
> hesitated posting his sighting because of the consequences that would arise. 
> I only wish that others could show proper respect and consideration. I agree 
> with the person who suggested that we should work to get laws changed so 
> others cannot get away with this egregious behavior.
> 
> Candace Havely, Iowa
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