Editor,

One of the things that makes life on Whidbey Island unique is sharing our habitat with wildlife. Most of the time we enjoy our close encounters and other times we run into conflict.

The owl that Melissa Ross came into contact with, as reported in The Record’s recent story “Owl attacks Clinton woman for 30 min.,” was most likely a barn owl, and was simply protecting the owlets that were nearby. Melissa did not realize her presence was just as frightening for them as it was for her.

Come November, great horned owls will start their courtship and then soon after look out for more owl attacks until the owlets are out of the nest. Then life in the forest can return to peace and quiet.

Anyone who is interested is invited to attend the Whidbey Audubon Society’s special event, A Bird in the Hand, where our taxidermy bird specimen collection will be on display for the community. The event is noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Bayview Farm and Garden.

This will be the time to bring your owl observations and questions. The more we know the safer we all will be, including the owl and its young family.

ROBIN LLEWELLYN

Greenbank