ARE BROWN OWLS A MENACE?

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 25 January 1932, Page 5

ARE BROWN OWLS A MENACE?

OPINIONS DIFFER, NUMBERS GROWING IN CANTERBURY. Opinions on the benefit of the small brown or German owl in dealing with pests differ among those who have studied the birds since their liberation in New Zealand, and, while some mem bers of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society view their increasing numbers with concern other students of birds claim that they do not attack the native birds, as their habitat is among imported birds, which have becomo pests to orchardists. The birds were originally liberated in Otago, and they seem to have worked their way north in good numbers as they have become acclimatised. A few were liberated in Canterbury in 1910, and these may account for tho growing numbers of owls on Cashmom Hills and in North Canterbury. The owls are now common, a Christchurch reporter was informed on Saturday, through Otago and particularly round Cashmere Hills in Canterbury. They seem most numerous in Hoon Hay and behind the rifle range at Redcliffs. On the hills they seem to have taken to low scrub, such as manuka, etc. Some bird students claim that they nest in the higher growth in the bush, and prey on the native birds, while others state that they live near and on imported birds. The brown owl was first imported into New Zealand in 1906, when the Otago Acclimatisation Society obtained 28 birds from Germany, liberating 14 at Ashley Downs, Waiwera, and 14 at Alexandra. Tn 1907 39 were introduced and liberated at Alexandra, and in 1908 a third shipment of 80 was received and distributed in various parts of Otago. It was reported for the first time in 1908 that several birds introduced in 1906 had reared young broods. In 1909 several fruitgrowers in Central Otago reported that the birds had already been a great boon to their orchards. Tn 1910 the birds were very popular and inceasing in number. A shipment of 72 birds was received in that year, 14 being liberated and the rest sold to farmers and orchardists. The numbers of the birds continued to grow and they spread all over Otago and into Southland. Oddly enough, from observations made, it seemed that the birds did not shun the daylight as they did in England. They were taking heavy toll of sparrows, thrusnes. blackbirds, etc.

The only liberation of brown owls in North Canterbury is recorded by Mr. James Drummond in 1910. The number of owls introduced hero is not known, but it is probable that these increased and were added to by other that spread from the south. Brown owls are quite common round Dunedin, and it seems that if their numbers increase they will be common round Christchurch also. The North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s Native Birds Committee is taking the question up from the point of view of protecting New Zealand birds, and a suggestion has been made that a royalty should be offered on the owls.