Knowledge of the distribution and status of the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) in northwestern California is incomplete. Gould (1974) surveyed the North Coast region and recorded 41 pairs in four counties, 6 pairs of which were found on the Six Rivers National Forest. Recent updates to Gould's surveys (Gould 1977, 1978) added 35 pairs to the four-county list, and other records (Six Rivers National Forest files) of unverified sightings added 14 more, for a total of 90 pairs. Gould (1977) reported a statewide total of 191 Northern Spotted Owls, representing 122 pairs.
The present study was prompted by a need for more intensive and local surveys on the Six Rivers National Forest. The goals of our research were to:
Survey 25 potential timber sale areas for presence of Spotted Owl breeding territories
Assess ecological distribution of Spotted Owls
Develop preliminary guidelines for management and future research on Spotted Owls on the Six Rivers National Forest