Making a Starter Burrow

To begin, remove a patch of sod one to two feet in diameter. Start an entrance simply by digging 8-12" with a hand trowel or small shovel at a 45 degree angle. Installing a T-perch will get the owls attention. Select an open lawn area that is located:

1. Between the drainage swale and the house or in a backyard.
2. In an area safe from pets.
3. In an open lawn area away from trees, shrubs and buildings.

Alert your lawn care technician so they can avoid using riding lawn mowers
too close to the burrow.

Baby owls born this past nesting season are in the process of being “kicked out” of their parents’ nests and they are looking for homes of their own. People who have been to the library know that property surrounding the building is home to quite a few owl burrows already. But more nests on developed property are needed today and in the immediate future if people want to help Burrowing Owls to continue to thrive in Cape Coral.

In addition to young owls leaving their parent’s nests, adult owls have lost access to nests that have been crushed or become clogged up as the result of the recent hurricanes and clean-up efforts. And, rapid development in Cape Coral also is leading to the destruction of owl burrows/nests when nesting season is over.

Developers cannot destroy inhabited burrows during nesting season, and they must obtain the appropriate permits and guidelines to take a burrow. Nevertheless, existing nests, especially those on vacant lots, are quickly decreasing in number across Cape Coral. As a result, many owls are living in new construction homes, on window sills or underneath thick shrubs. While they do not need a burrow to live, they do need them to breed. Burrowing Owl nesting season runs from February to July.

Burrow maintenance is also critical. Though the owls like a little bit of vegetation to provide them with shade and cover and a fertile hunting ground, owls will abandon nests that become overgrown with grass and weeds. The City of Cape Coral does not maintain owl burrows. This chore is done by a handful of volunteers, who, no matter how hard they try, can not possibly maintain every burrow in the city. When in the field maintaining burrows, CCFW members do their best to recruit people who live near a nest to adopt the nest and care for it going forward.

To find out more about maintaining and cleaning an existing burrow near you or to learn how to host a starter burrow on your own property call CCFW at (239) 980-2593 or City of Cape Coral at 574-0589.

CCFW is comprised of citizens of Cape Coral and surrounding communities who want to help the city’s Burrowing Owls and other wildlife thrive as our community grows. The group meets the second Tuesday every other month at 7 p.m. at Rotary Park.

Starter Burrow at Ferrell Builders model home on Country Club Dr. See how well it blends into the environment?

 

This artificial burrow might be useful in situations where a natural burrow
couldn't be sustained.