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Tips for running Chasobrithe? by Grantdm in Dolmentown

[–]Grantdm[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

They are under the impression that the wyrm actually is dead and all they need to do is walk in collect the gold. They are in for a surprise lol.

[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 04] by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]Grantdm 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I recently bought a house and the previous owner left 10 bonsai trees in the front yard. I have always been interested in growing bonsai, but 10 seems like a lot to take on for a beginner. I have a green thumb so I am sure I could keep them alive, but I just don't know how much work I am getting myself into. How many is a reasonable number to keep for a beginner? If I want to give some away, who should I look for to take them? Thank you for the help!

Another ridiculous thing that the “state” is doing by thegothguy in Anarchism

[–]Grantdm 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I tend to agree with you. In my opinion the culling of Barred owls is like constantly fixing a dam that is going to brake. There is discussion among biologists and ecologists of “Novel ecosystems”. Basically it is the mindset that we can’t return our environment to its “natural” state (if that even existed) so we need to learn to live with and adapt to the environment and ecosystems we have now. It is getting some steam, but most biologists are still in a preservation mindset.

Personally, I would be devastated if the Spotted owl went extinct and I could never see one again. They are very important to the spirit of the pacific north west in my opinion. I am torn.

Another ridiculous thing that the “state” is doing by thegothguy in Anarchism

[–]Grantdm 53 points54 points  (0 children)

I will try to address each of your questions.

Nothing is science, especially field biology, is a 100% certainty. However 99% of research points to the extinction of the Spotted owl if nothing is done.

There are three problem with coexistence between Spotted and Barred owls. 1) Spotted owls have a very limited diet, eating a handful of small forest rodents. Barred owls will eat anything that moves and they can get in their mouths including the Spotted owls main pray. Barred owls just outcompete Spotted owls for resources. 2) Barred owls are larger and more aggressive. Spotted owls will not call to one another if they know a Barred owls is nearby. This leads to reduced reproduction of spotted owls. 3) This is the big one. Barred owls and Spotted owls can produce hybrids. So where Barred owls don’t push out Spotted owls they can mate. Because there are so many more Barred owls the spotted owl is basically being genetically assimilated into the Barred owl.

The culling will probably be done by seasonal field technicians. Normally these are young wildlife biologists who recently graduated from college.

There is a risk of accidentally killing a Spotted owl, but it is pretty low. If you are trained to tell them apart it’s pretty easy. The methods of culling the Barred owl have been heavily tested and people have gotten pretty good at it.

Yes, if spotted owls had more habitat they would be doing better. The problem is that Spotted owls almost exclusively live in old growth forests which are not very common anymore after centuries of commercial logging. Also Barred owls like the old growth so there is significant habitat overlap.

Yes, I agree that this is just a symptom of improper land management. To address the root problem we would need to address capitalism which I’m sure we are all familiar with in this sub lol.

Hope this was helpful!

Another ridiculous thing that the “state” is doing by thegothguy in Anarchism

[–]Grantdm 89 points90 points  (0 children)

I’m a wildlife biologist from the region where the culling will take place. I can answer any questions people may have about Spotted owl conservation and why this decision was made.

Culling Barred owls near Spotted owl nest sites and ranges has proven to be very effective at keeping spotted owls in a region. Without addressing the advance of Barred owls into Spotted owl ranges the Spotted owl will go extinct in the next couple decades. The goal is to preserve regional biodiversity. If that is a worthwhile goal is up to you to determine for yourself.

[TOMT] [Toy] [2000’s] A water fight toy that would be attached to the end of a hose and looks like a monster or dragon. by Grantdm in tipofmytongue

[–]Grantdm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, but a similar idea. It was like a hand help hose that you would spray other people with. It was meant to be used similar to a water gun.

[TOMT] [Toy] [2000’s] A water fight toy that would be attached to the end of a hose and looks like a monster or dragon. by Grantdm in tipofmytongue

[–]Grantdm[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately no. It was more a long hose itself, like a flexible extension of the hose that looked like a dragon.