Owl/bird calls: pro or con?

[mr.sharp-photo]

I met some birders last week in Thickson Woods. We had a quick discussion about whether or not one should use bird calls (specifically, owl calls during their mating season).

can anyone shed any light if there are cons about using bird calls to attract birds? can owl calls during mating season have potentially negative effects?

[Greg Schneider]

I've heard of people having owls attack them (at night) when using calls. I would consider that a potentially negative side effect.  :lol:

[JTF]

I have never tried it and don't think its really necessary to get a look at one in the field. The Great Horned Owls should be calling now so it won't be hard to locate this species.

[Moira]

I have been told that owls could attack people who were calling, if they sense they are competition, throughout the mating season.  On a recent visit to Thickson's Woods the GHO was hooting a lot.  I wondered what the significance of this was.  Other times, he/she doesn't seem to bother when you're there admiring.  I didn't know if I was bothering him, so I left.  Most visits, I don't hear him, I follow the noisy crows to get my look.  It's one thing trying to learn to identify birds, then it seems to lead you to their behaviour.  I have been picking up lots of little tidbits about different birds that actually help to get a good photograph.  It sure is an interesting hobby!

[JTF]

GHO's nesting season is in Jan/Feb so the males will be hooting alot this month to pair up with a female.

[thouc]

Bear this in mind:

"Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concerns, or is rare in your local area"

Quote from the birding ethics on the top of the page.

/Thomas