THIS POST IS LINKED TO WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY and NATURE NOTES *
We did a little urban birding this weekend at Cape Coral ("next door" to North Fort Myers, where we live), looking for Florida burrowing owls. This City has the largest population of these birds in Florida (and by extension, the world, since this variety of burrowing owls only exists in this state.)
To educate the public about these charming little birds, the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife sponsors a festival at the beginning of nesting season, the third Saturday of February every year. The Friends group is active in preserving and protecting all of the city's natural resources, but especially the burrowing owl.
We learned a lot from our knowledgeable guide and found quite a few burrows, most with owls who were looking at us as we looked at them.
Here is some information from our CCFW guide:
A long time ago, the 118 square miles of land that now comprise Cape Coral supported incredible wildlife and plant diversity. Mangrove forests lined the coastline and the area also included open grassland prairies and pine flatwoods, and cypress swamps and marshes. Sadly, most of those original ecosystems are gone, the result of old land-clearing practices from a time when governmental guidelines and restrictions were non-existent. In spite of all of this, many plant and wildlife species survived and Cape Coral is home to many federally and state-protected wildlife and state-protected species, including these burrowing owls.
These owls usually make their burrows in weed-filled vacant lots and sometimes in parking median strips or grassy areas such as those bordering school grounds or playgrounds. They can be "invited" into lawns by digging a starter burrow to give them a secure nesting site.
My pictures are enlarged to show detail (especially their beautiful eyes!). These adult owls are not much bigger than an American Robin and they weigh 6 to 8 ounces.
Nesting on the ground seems like a dangerous proposition for birds. We sure hope the neighborhood cats can read.
We will try to make another urban birding trip this season to check on the owls. Volunteers have marked all the burrows for protection and now that we know how they do that, they are easy to spot.
There is more information from the owl expert who was our tour guide here. One of the tour stops was her front yard, where she has an introduced burrow. She's installing a webcam and it will be fun to watch what happens.
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Go visit both of these fabulous sharing sites -- beautiful pictures and wonderful information. You can't miss at either place.
Thank you to SPRINGMAN at PINE RIVER REVIEW for hosting WBW.
and to MICHELLE at RAMBLING WOODS for Nature Notes.
Love Burrowing Owls, one of my all time favourite bird species. Thanks for a great post :)
Posted by: Celeste | March 06, 2012 at 04:16 PM
So great when you find something unique in the world in your own backyard!!! They look a little like owls downunder - but ours have learned not to burrow!!!
Posted by: Red Nomad OZ | March 02, 2012 at 12:35 AM
what a great day you had. And you did see the lovely owls. I like them but rarely see them as most owl is up at night. :) Thanks for sharing your experience.
Posted by: NatureFootstep | March 01, 2012 at 11:37 PM
wow - amazing shots of the owl!
Posted by: Lady Fi | March 01, 2012 at 10:29 AM
What a handsome chap, interesting post. Thanks for your comment on Glorious Food, it was definitely a restaurant I would recommend.
Posted by: LindyLouMac in Italy | March 01, 2012 at 08:39 AM
I do like owls ! Thanks Sallie for this one !
Posted by: Annie | March 01, 2012 at 07:27 AM
LOL... one of my favs, nice pics
Posted by: wolfsrosebud | March 01, 2012 at 06:17 AM
Fantastic shots of the Burrowing Owls, Sallie. I have yet to see one but I did read the were a few south of us.
Thanks for sharing your awesome shots,
cheers :)
Posted by: Pam | March 01, 2012 at 01:14 AM
Great shots of the beautiful owl!
Posted by: CameraCruise | March 01, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Burrowing owls are found in eastern Oregon, too, but I've never managed to see any. I appreciate the great photos here!
Posted by: Patricia Lichen | February 29, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Just caught up reading past posts. You have a lovely swampland/wetland area. The burrowing owl is interesting and quite small. I hope cats don't get too many.
Posted by: diane | February 29, 2012 at 09:55 PM
Amazing photos of these wonderful birds.
Posted by: Nick | February 29, 2012 at 09:16 PM
They are beautiful birds and full of character, aren't they? I first discovered them last year and was enchanted.
Posted by: Barb | February 29, 2012 at 08:55 PM
I have read about these owls and it is both sad about their plight and heartwarming that people are trying to protect them.. What a treat to actually see one in person.. have a great week and thank you for linking up to Nature Notes...Michelle
Posted by: RamblingWoods | February 29, 2012 at 07:20 PM
How wonderful! Only once have I seen a burrowing owl, developers were destroying its habitat and it looked sad and confused. Now there are acres and acres of houses where I once saw hawks, eagles, coyotes and that owl.
Posted by: Martha | February 29, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Great pictures!! And applause to the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife for their good work!
Posted by: Libby | February 29, 2012 at 03:28 PM
What cool shots! I love owls and birds in general. How exciting to see these so close up.
Posted by: Halcyon | February 29, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Super shots! It must be an amazing experience actually to see these little guys popping up from their burrows. Thanks for all the info - very interesting.
Posted by: Vicki | February 29, 2012 at 09:06 AM
Such adorable little owls.
Posted by: Pat | February 29, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Wonderful pictures and thoughtful info Sallie.
Florida is a special place when it comes to birding. Oh, what we came within a hairs breath of losing during the plume wars of a hundred years ago. I am thankful for the conscientious efforts of everyone involved increasing the appreciation of this 8 ounce treasure, the Burrowing owl. Great work!!!
Posted by: springman | February 29, 2012 at 07:15 AM
What a wonderful close-up shot of the owl!
Posted by: Tracy F. | February 29, 2012 at 06:41 AM
What a great close up shot! I have also learned about these owls when we went to Salton Sea at the Sony Bono Wildlife. There were markers on where the owls were spotted and they were inside the tubes/pipes. The docent told us not to disturb them.
Posted by: Ebie | February 29, 2012 at 06:28 AM
Burrowing Owls, such sweet looking faces. Thanks for sharing~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | February 29, 2012 at 04:21 AM
That is so interesting. I've never heard of burrowing owls, so you have taught me something. I think that it is great that they are protected and looked after.
Posted by: Yogi | February 29, 2012 at 04:19 AM
Hi there - I always have like the idea of an owl that thinks it’s a rabbit!
Cheers
SM
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | February 28, 2012 at 11:25 PM
I love this post, Sallie. What great photos and how well the owl is camouflaged and all the information on burrowing owls is wonderful information I did not know.
Posted by: Penny | February 28, 2012 at 07:47 PM
I didn't know that owls burrowed - nice shots! We have birds that nest on the ground on our land, it's why we don't cut the grass on most of our 2.5 acres, just the landscaped area. I love watching the birds fly around, and sometimes I run across these ground nests when I'm walking around the yard.
Posted by: Al | February 28, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Thanks Sally for posting about my favorite bird on the planet, the Burrowing Owl. I am contacting the "owl lady" to see about linking to her webcam from our Burrowing Owl Conservation Network site. They are the cutest birds in the world but they are in peril here in the U.S.
Posted by: Larry Jordan | February 28, 2012 at 04:12 PM
how amazing; a beautiful owl; thanks for sharing
Posted by: Carole M. | February 28, 2012 at 03:14 PM
What beautiful birds. I love their eyes. So interesting that they would live in the ground. Thanks for another educational post.
Posted by: Margot | February 28, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Hi Sallie, these little owls are so cute. I would love to see them someday. Great shots and post, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: eileen | February 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM
I absolutely love them! Beautiful post and great bird!
Posted by: joo | February 28, 2012 at 01:37 PM
They really are beautiful! I should love to see them in real one time. /Susanne
Posted by: fjällripan | February 28, 2012 at 01:23 PM
My daughter loves the burrowing oil! I have not see one this winter yet though. Might have to make a point to go to Cape Coral and try to find some there. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Krystal | February 28, 2012 at 11:42 AM
A wonderful little bird to see Sallie and it's lovely to see they are protected..
I hope alls well
Take care... Andrew xx
Posted by: Andrew | February 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM
I love the photos-and thank you for the info. I'd never heard of Burrowing Owls.
Posted by: hazelisles | February 28, 2012 at 10:19 AM
great post...enjoyed! hopefully someday I'll get to Ft Myers on my way to Key West!
I'd heard about burrowing owls...but now know way more than I did...I didn't know they only lived in Florida!
Going to check out the webcam!
Posted by: Theanne | February 28, 2012 at 09:46 AM
It seems to counter-intuitive for them to burrow! Snakes, etc., but they obviously survive. Thanks for posting them!
We have lots of hollow trees, here. I spotted a grey owl last week! (No photo!!!)
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | February 28, 2012 at 09:42 AM
What a wonderful post Sallie!
I've never heard of such an owl. Who would have thought one would burrow in the ground.
Really nice shots!
Posted by: Carletta | February 28, 2012 at 09:33 AM
Very good post!
Regards
Posted by: Modesto Viegas | February 28, 2012 at 09:15 AM
Great post Sallie!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | February 28, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Such fascinating owls, thanks for the info.
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | February 28, 2012 at 08:28 AM
Wonderful shots and information about the owls.
Posted by: Carver | February 28, 2012 at 08:27 AM
that is SO COOL! lucky you to see and photograph these cool little birds!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | February 28, 2012 at 08:03 AM
Love the owls! Nice shots!
Posted by: heyBJK | February 28, 2012 at 07:57 AM
GReat info on a bird I don't know. We don't get burrowing types here as the ground is frozen so much of the year. I love the shot of the owl peering over the sand bank. Great shots and nice read.
Posted by: Robin R Robinson | February 28, 2012 at 07:52 AM
What beauties they are. Amazing eyes.
Posted by: holdingmoments | February 28, 2012 at 07:51 AM