Burrowing Owls

The owls are a have been designated a “species of special concern” by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. With appropriate protection and management, the owls will avoid becoming a “threatened species.”

 Historically, the burrowing owls inhabited treeless grasslands and pastures of central and south Florida. Because agriculture has overtaken their traditional habitat areas, the burrowing owls have moved to suburban areas such as Cape Coral. Burrowing owls were already in Cape Coral when this migration occurred, but their numbers increased as development created artificial habitat for them.

As the concentration of residential development in Cape Coral expands, the Burrowing Owls have suffered loss of their new habitat. Most of them inhabit vacant lots. As virtually all of the lots in Cape Coral are likely to be developed eventually, the owls’ survival in our community involves integrating them into developed neighborhoods. If you see an unmarked owl nest on property that is about to be built on, please call the City of Cape Coral 574-0589 and report it.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) educates members of the community about the owls and teaches citizens what they can do to help them survive and thrive in the midst of unprecedented development. With a little bit of help from humans, the owls are perfectly able to live side by side with us in our urban environment. 

CCFW distributes materials for perches and shows residents how to build starter burrows on their own property. Owls who have been displaced by construction recognize these burrows and are happy to move in. The group also instructs people how to safely and properly maintain new and existing burrows, as the owls are known to abandon burrows that become overgrown.

Call 239 980-2593  for more information

City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Policies and Procedures
For Burrowing Owl and Osprey Nests in City Parks

             The Florida burrowing owl and osprey are bird species native to the State of Florida and Cape Coral.  Both are protected under state and federal law.  Both birds are often attracted to our City ball fields for nesting because the areas mimic their natural habitat, which has been severely impacted by development.  The City’s Planning Division oversees protection of Cape Coral’s native plants and animals especially those protected by law.  It is important for all those who may come in contact with burrowing owls and ospreys in our parks to understand the rules, and how we can continue to use our parks safely for our children and families without harming two of our wonderful natural resources.

             Ospreys often use the light poles at City parks for nesting, as our number of naturally existing nest sites, snags or dead trees, are at such a minimum.  If a light pole needs replacing, or if bulb replacement is impeded by an osprey nest, staff in the Planning Division applies to the State of Florida for a permit, which legally allows removal of the osprey nest as long as it is done when the ospreys are not nesting.  A replacement structure of some kind is required in order to provide the osprey with continued successful nesting.  Ospreys on our ball fields will most likely continue to be a way of life for both the birds and residents.  Ospreys do not harm people, are primarily fish eaters, and are simply a part of our natural world.

          Burrowing owls are found throughout Cape Coral.  They prefer open areas of low grasses in which to dig their burrows so they can see predators coming.  Our ball fields mimic those areas so well that occasionally, especially when ball parks are not in use, a pair of owls will dig a burrow out in one of our fields, or more likely close to the fence line.  If you notice a burrow in a park, notify Parks and Recreation personnel at once.  They will contact the Planning Division.  Some type of protection will be put up to protect both owls and people, until such time as a state permit can be obtained and executed.  Owl burrows only rarely can be removed during the owls’ nesting season which runs February 15 – July 10 each year.  Owl burrows outside the play area will not be removed.  Those burrows will be properly protected with white PVC stakes so people can see where they are and avoid them.  Burrowing owls are a welcome guest to our City parks.  They help to keep insects and small rodents under control.

Harassment (throwing rocks or other items, chasing, or attempting to fill in the burrow) of burrowing owls will not be tolerated.  Any harassment will be reported to Florida Fish and Wildlife law enforcement.  Anyone convicted of harassment faces a minimum fine of $500 and possible jail time.  Living with burrowing owls in Cape Coral is not difficult, and they are one of our most treasured natural resources.  Visitors from all over the world come here to photograph and enjoy them.  The City of Cape Coral will continue to monitor and protect burrowing owls and all of our native animals and plants to the best of our ability. 

             We know that most of our residents truly appreciate what is left of the natural world in our city, and that most would never think of harming wildlife in any way.  Thank you for your concern and vigilance.  Please report any incidents of harassment of wildlife to Wildlife Alert at Florida Fish and Wildlife, 1-863-648-3200, or call the Planning Division of the City of Cape Coral at 574-0589.  Owls, ospreys and people can easily co-exist within our parks system.

Eagle Viewing Etiquette

Cape Coral is fortunate to have active bald eagle nests within our City limits. These nests are unique in that they are easily accessible via City streets. Although it is inspiring to view these spectacular birds, we need to resist the temptation to love this wildlife to death.

To help protect this threatened species, City Ordinance 13 - 92 prohibits certain activities. This ordinance prohibits entry into an area within 150 feet of the base of a tree which is occupied by an eagle or an eagle's nest, or beyond the edge of the nearest street to such tree, which ever is the greater distance.

Also the use of any device or food to lure an eagle away from its nest is prohibited, not only by the City but by State and Federal law as well.

 This does not mean that any activity other than what is prohibited by City Ordinance is desirable. Be aware that eagles are also protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act, the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Golden and Bald Eagle Protection Act.

More importantly, please realize that your mere presence, although outside the prohibited areas, may still adversely affect the well-being of the eagles. The eagles may appear to be content because they are near the nest. But, because of your presence, they may actually be afraid to leave the nest area. They need to leave the immediate area to get food for themselves and to feed the hatchlings. The strongest and most aggressive hatchling gets fed first. The smaller and more frail may not get fed unless the food is plentiful. Many hatchlings die before they grow to the age where they can fly. It would be a travesty for human presence to contribute to this failure.

Please do not stay in the area for extended periods of time.  Consider that other people also come to view the eagles and the effect of your presence is added to the effect of other viewers which cumulatively can adversely affect the eagles’ nesting habits and success.  Use binoculars or long lenses to briefly view from an appropriate distance.

Also, keep in mind that many excellent photographs of eagles already exist that you may purchase. To study a live eagle from a close distance, you can visit the Calusa Nature Center at 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida (275-3435).

Finally, please consider the residents' property rights and right to privacy when viewing the eagle nests.

Next Meeting Sept. 9th, 7:00Pm
Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife meets every other month
at Rotary Park Environmental Center
5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral
(Pelican Blvd @ El Dorado Pkw)

Currently there are nearly 100 members of CCFW. If you would like
to join us, call 239 980-2593 for more information
or email contact@ccfriendsofwildlife.org