Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 14:39:44 EST Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Steve Huy Subject: Re: Snowy Owl MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 12/16/00 10:41:44 Eastern Standard Time, hawkwatch_21206@YAHOO.COM writes: > . If Steve Huy caught this > bird in a trap and is injured, you're right it should > be reported. > > I'm sure nothing bad was intended by this message, but I could see that it > might be interpreted to mean I injured the owl. > > I just want to clarify that I did not and will not injure this owl. Any > injury would be from a reported collision with a barbed wire fence. I have > extensive experience with trapping and handling raptors. This involves > training under experienced mentors, basically an apprenticeship, until I > was competent in working on my own. As a snowy owl is a new species for > me, I have been in contact with many biologists with extensive experience > in trapping snowy owls. This allows me to trap with the best methods. > > If I am successful in trapping this owl, it will be banded with a Federal > Bird Band, weighed, measured and released unharmed. I will also examine it > for any injuries that it may have sustained from the fence or other > encounters with dangerous objects. > > Barring any sort of infection or emaciation, the owl would be released as > it appears to be doing quite well. > > Unless it is injured and immobile it should not be taken to a vet. If it > is in such condition I do not recommend anyone without experience handling > the bird. They are very strong and dangerous. A snowy owl also requires > special handling so that the handling itself does not harm it. > > I live only a few miles from the location and will be available for it if > necessary. > > Steve Huy Project Owlnet Middletown, MD ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================