If the Barred Owl’s invasion hadn’t been subsidized by human activity I might be inclined to agree that this would be a situation to let work itself out. But given the state of biodiversity generally, I’m inclined to say this is a species worth conserving. It is a low cost endeavor that largely pays for itself in terms of ecotourism dollars generated.
In 1978 I was working at the place that built the sections for the causway from Metairie toNew Orleans La. Of course the causway had been built many years before I worked there and we were making “ pre-stressed” concrete slabs for an elevated highway in a place called Manshack ( sp?) But anyhow a guy that worked with us had hit a big Owl early in the morning going to work and I was like 18 then and he tossed the Owl in the back of his truck so he could show everyone how his windshield got broke and I’m tellin you that thing was huge! Like 30” from feet to tail! It was a really a giant! At 18 years old I must say I was pretty shocked to say the least. A
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