For those of you not on Birding Ohio - this was offered yesterday for consideration. Killdeer Plains and Owls The discussion on Owls and Killdeer Plains has been interesting in many ways. I have held off commenting but maybe this is a time to bring about some change. This isn't a new subject and some history is in order for all the opinions out there. This subject was first reviewed over 20 years ago when a study on the owls using the west pine grove was conducted by Dr. Nelson Moore at Ohio Northern with the Division of Wildlife. There was considerably more owl use then and much lower human use. Writing on the wall of the future was identified and recommendations formulated. Several factors WERE going to happen over time and management response was needed. First, the grove was going to deteriorate over time, becoming less attractive for the needs of the roosting owls. Second, human activity was going to increase as birder numbers grew. There were other issues taken into account, the old "all eggs in one basket" adage, increases and interaction expected with Great Horned Owls, educational opportunities, and yes behavioral bad actors in the human species. A responsible Wildlife Management approach for the long-term needs of the species involved was the objective. DOW Research provided several recommendations to District and Area managers. They, of which Donna Daniels took the lead, put these in operation. They included the following measures: - Establishment of alternative pine groves on the refuge where there would be no human interaction. This was to provide alternative habitat to meet this life cycle need of the migrant owls using the area. To look at the big picture of habitat management and our basic responsibilities to the people of Ohio as an agency. - Provide educational signage for the west grove. There was going to be an increase in human activity, both birding and non-birding in the habitat block. Take the opportunity to increase awareness of the bird needs and responsible human behavior. To answer a question that has been raised - in a sense, YES this grove was going to be made a sacrificial lamb in a manner of speaking. The opportunity to educate and enjoy one of natures' gems outweighed the potential human factor of disturbance (as long as there were other options for a free flying bird to utilize). - Add trees to the groves in existence. Recognize the limited time value to the grove for the birds (remember these trees weren't planted for owls, not even sure what the original purpose was, probably prior to state ownership). Plant additional trees in and around the existing groves to provide a continuum of habitat availability. To address the concerns of predator mortality to migrant owls from the resident Great Horns (probably the #1 predator of Long-ears and Saw-whets in the area). These were all put into motion. Have they been successful? Were they a correct prophecy? That seems to be a mixed bag. This whole discussion, some 20 years later, indicates, yes, future concerns were identified. But, has the plan recommendations been completely successful? I venture, not as well as I would have liked when I penned them 20 years ago. Alternate groves were planted, with dedicated volunteers and agency personnel, but follow-up and maintenance has been less than stellar. Deer wiped out everything but red cedar in the south refuge grove. Still useful for NSWO but probably of little to no use for LEOW. Personally it has been years since I have been in or over the interior refuge grove so I can't honestly give an evaluation of its value. I do know that deer were a problem. The same occurred to additional trees in the old groves. Deer need to be accounted for in future plans. Educational plans? Well, the discussion recently is part of that. Everyone visiting those groves has the responsibility and yes the obligation to be an ambassador for the bird and their habitat. Bad behavior is a result of what we collectively, accept. If that is broken, then stop the jaw flapping and fix it. What is the future? The bottom line is good habitat for the birds. Adequate habitat availability and responsible human behavior are the big picture items. The birds require places to meet their needs but birders can not be completely excluded. The bird is our best educational tool, some access has to be part of the management plan and the future. Humans don't support what they don't understand or appreciate. Maybe it's time our leaders, BSBO, OOS, OYBC, and any bird club or chapter in the state come together with the DOW to begin the next 20 year plan. More new groves, maintenance of existing groves, deer exclosure components, and hands on educational guidance to the masses. We can do it, better than the first time! We got the concerns right, we faltered on the follow-up. It doesn't take talk, it is going to take some volunteers to step forward with tree planting, deer fencing, scientific monitoring, and education. Is there an interest out there to make this happen for future generations to come? There has been an over-whelming positive response to the last question so far. Mark Shieldcastle Research Director Black Swamp Bird Observatory Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 419-898-4070 <http://www.bsbobird.org> www.bsbobird.org Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bsbobird http://www.facebook.com/ohioyoungbirders BSBO is proud to sponsor <http://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdingOhio/> BIRDING OHIO on Facebook ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. 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