The Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral, Florida
Text and images copyright Heather Forcier, all rights reserved

Cape Coral is home to Florida's largest population of Burrowing Owls. When development first began in the area of Cape Coral and the land was clear-cut for homes, these owls found suitable habitat in the sandy soil of freshly cleared lots and set up residence.

Aptly named, the owls either create new or make use of abandoned burrows to live in and nest. They stand approximately nine inches tall and weigh roughly four ounces. Active both during day and night, they can often be seen either peering out of their burrow or standing atop the small mound of sand over it.

Scouting areas around the city in search of these owls to photograph, it was disheartening to see many of the vacant lots bulldozed and construction starting on new homes. Scanning from street to street for the telltale markers put up to protect the owls, but not finding any active burrows, concern began to mount about the fate of these small birds.

Several phone calls led to Susan Scott, a Planning Technician for the City of Cape Coral charged with the protection of the Burrowing Owls amidst new construction. Despite a lack of luck finding burrows in the areas we had been searching, Susan assured us that the owls were definitely around. After changing the search to different areas, we found a pair.

We carefully approached the burrow. Hearing about the Burrowing Owls and even seeing photos is nothing compared to being in their presence. Immediately their small size and character is endearing, and it is a treat just to watch them. At first glance, you might miss a little round head jutting slightly out of the burrow; the birds are well camouflaged in their environment. A slow, careful approach can help win their trust.

Inhabiting the burrows in nesting pairs, one or both owls may emerge from the tunnel to stand outside of or on top of it. If they start bobbing their heads or become vocal, your presence is disturbing them. You should take several steps back and stop until they appear more comfortable. If the owls continue to appear agitated, you may have to forgo your visit. However, since the birds live among people, it is more likely they will be accepting of you if you invest in the right approach. Be sure not to walk inside the boundary of the burrow’s protective markers.

We were able to slowly move in to a fairly close vantage point and watch as their little heads swiveled back and forth to take in the surroundings. Eventually they became so accustomed to our presence that they began to doze off. We were able to spend a good amount of time there and at last light, we took our final photos and withdrew, leaving the birds undisturbed.

Many Cape Coral residents help protect their feathered neighbors by placing stakes around the burrow with a string perimeter. Sometimes a “T” stake is placed behind the burrow for the birds to perch on. Since the tunnels don't go very deep, it is important to mark off the area to ensure other traffic, such as riding mowers, doesn't collapse the tunnels below. The owls actually prefer shorter vegetation around the burrows and people are encouraged to maintain the owls' area by trimming longer growth.

The owls' nesting season starts mid-February and extends to mid-July. Neighborhood cats and dogs, as well as some local wild foxes, pose a threat to these ground-dwelling birds. As fledglings learn to fly around May and June they sometimes end up in roads and their inexperience around cars can prove fatal.

New construction in areas of active burrows must either establish and maintain a protected area with a ten-foot radius from the burrow, or must be postponed until after nesting season. A permit from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must be issued in order for builders to destroy an empty nest. The owls, burrows, and nests are protected from harassment or disturbance by state law.

The City of Cape Coral promotes a “Starter Burrow” program. Citizens wishing to attract an owl pair can dig a small hole in an open area safe from flooding on their property before the start of nesting season in February. Placement of a “T” perch can further help to attract the birds. Owls nesting for the first time, or previously displaced due to construction, may be drawn in to the starter burrow and take up residence. Construction sites which have obtained permits to destroy existing burrows are encouraged to consider these starter burrows to help replace lost habitat.

While no formal counts have been conducted for the Burrowing Owl population of Cape Coral, the residents and city appear to be making an effort to prevent the declining numbers.

Heather Forcier is a nature photographer working with Greg Downing. She first photographed the Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral in March of 2003. To see more of Heather's images, please visit her website at www.hforcier.com.

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