[2], p. 30: "Predation by nonnative and/or nuisance species. Predators, such as nonnative cats, dogs and foxes, as well as native crows and ravens, that are thriving in human-altered environments. The City policy of
removing cats and foxes has been effective and beneficial for the
burrowing owls."
[3]: "There are many factors that could explain the low numbers. The owls are ground-nesting, living in holes hollowed out by squirrels. That can leave them vulnerable to a long list of predators, including foxes, skunks and raccoons. Feral cats are considered the worst of the lot, preying on owls as well as the small birds and rodents that make up the owls' main food supply. In fact, a released cat last year ended up mauling one prolific male owl, Kleinhaus said."
[5] appears to concern burrowing owls in Black Hills National Forest, which is substantially different from Mountain View.
[9] does not call out cats specifically, but does recommend "[r]educing adult mortality rates by preventing the use of harmful rodenticides near
occupied habitat and reducing the threat from non-native predators" on p. 22.
Preservation plans - when they even mention cats - put them dead last on the list of reasons.
>[2], p. 30: "Predation by nonnative and/or nuisance species
YES, dead last, right after:
- Systematic and regular grading on a large scale destroys prime foraging
and nesting habitat
- Insufficient high-quality foraging habitat
- Insufficient mowing during the breeding season to maintain nesting
habitat
- Disturbance by vehicles going off-road, leading to erosion (of habitat)
- Formal and informal trails and unofficial roads in owl habitat
Notice anything common with al of the above?
>The City policy of removing cats and foxes has been effective and beneficial for the burrowing owls
Yeah, the city thinks it's doing a god job as the population went down to zero. Also, notice the foxes. Also, notice that these were not the neutered cats in Google's TNR program that were potentially dangerous. Also...
[3]: Great, evidence of one owl being mauled by a cat. Again, notice that this is the last thing mentioned.
[5]: Oh, so this is different. Just like feral, un-neutered cats roaming the city are different from neutered cats fed by Google's TNR proram. Anyway, again, cats aren't called out.
[9]: "does not call out cats specifically" - isn't that what I said?
[2], p. 30: "Predation by nonnative and/or nuisance species. Predators, such as nonnative cats, dogs and foxes, as well as native crows and ravens, that are thriving in human-altered environments. The City policy of removing cats and foxes has been effective and beneficial for the burrowing owls."
[3]: "There are many factors that could explain the low numbers. The owls are ground-nesting, living in holes hollowed out by squirrels. That can leave them vulnerable to a long list of predators, including foxes, skunks and raccoons. Feral cats are considered the worst of the lot, preying on owls as well as the small birds and rodents that make up the owls' main food supply. In fact, a released cat last year ended up mauling one prolific male owl, Kleinhaus said."
[5] appears to concern burrowing owls in Black Hills National Forest, which is substantially different from Mountain View.
[9] does not call out cats specifically, but does recommend "[r]educing adult mortality rates by preventing the use of harmful rodenticides near occupied habitat and reducing the threat from non-native predators" on p. 22.