I haven't been there and don't plan to, so I guess I am reasonably 
dispassionate.  I don't see how birders, even large numbers, who are on 
a regularly used trail can be significantly more of a disturbance than 
the usual hikers.  Now if the birds have in fact flushed while being 
observed by birders, I'll withdraw that comment.  Meantime, it is 
possible that having  conscientious birders showing the birds off 
responsibly will help prevent others from plunging in to the point that  
the birds will indeed flush.  So is it better to cut off the show or to 
keep it controlled?

Winter Owls do move their roosts around.  Bent's dates and numbers seem 
to imply breeding beginning in Massachusetts very roughly around the 
first of April, so breeding here could well be underway.  On the other 
hand, the nest is apparently fairly conspicuous.  I would think that the 
lack of observation of a nest and the birds' willingness to change 
tracts of trees would indicate that breeding is not yet started.  Has 
anyone been on site at a time of day that they might hear territorial 
calls?

Jane Kostenko wrote:

> I readily admit that I sound like a hypocrite saying this, since Tyler
> Bell and I joined the (huge) crowd that saw one of the owls on Sunday, 
> but
> I wholeheartedly agree with Jerry's assessment and request. That the 
> birds
> keep moving and separating was worrisome to me even yesterday as I 
> admired
> the gorgeous one we were seeing. I would hope that folks heed the call to
> caution and stop going into the (very limited) woods that make up this
> pair's habitat. Anyone who doesn't get to see these owls because of such
> restraint will earn many golden stars (birds?) in the big cosmic
> scorekeeping book in the sky (IMHO). Jane
>
> Jane Kostenko
> California, MD
> 
>
>  
>
>> I am going to admit some ignorance as to the owls we have been 
>> viewing. I
>> thought they were probably migrating thru and were not likely to stay
>> here.
>> That's because I never bothered to consult my only Owl book. Although it
>> is
>> dated, -Alcorn, 1986 - it says and I quote, "It is not highly migratory
>> and
>> the winter range is approximately that of the breeding range."
>>    I have been advised by more knowledgeable folks than me that we are
>> probably disturbing a pair that want to breed. The fact that they keep
>> moving only underscores the likelihood that we are disturbing them.
>>    With this in mind, I recommend that the tours stop. I know another
>> tick
>> on a list is exciting, but I for one have decided to discontinue 
>> visiting
>> Morgan Run for a while. I hope others act responsibly and do the 
>> same. It
>> practically took somebody hitting me over the head with it.
>>
>>    Jerry Tarbell
>>    Carroll County
>>   
>
>
>  
>

-- 
Maurice Barnhill 
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Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716