 The
great horned owls called again from the north last night and I'm beginning
to think that they are the reason for Ward's difficulties. While barred
and great horned owls have many common prey species, the great horned is a
larger owl and prefers larger prey that is more likely to be found in less
densely wooded areas. This would explain Ward's shift to the smaller prey
which is more plentiful in the densely wooded southern part of his
territory, where he is less likely to run into the great horned owls. Ward
made six deliveries directly to the nest last night and it appears that
he has adjusted well to the difficult conditions. He even called home
with his classic hoot at around noon today and June returned his call with
this wild sequence.
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