Burrowing owl recovery through Operation Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl’s population status has worsened to endangered since 1995 has been the subject of conservation efforts for nearly two decades. This long-legged owl is still present in Canada in Saskatchewan’s and Alberta’s southern prairie vegetation. It nests in burrows abandoned by badgers and prairie-dogs. Unlike other owl species, it will tolerate habitats close to human disturbances. As long as burrows are available, it will make use of grassland terrain beside freeways, airports, cow pastures and farm buildings.
Despite its tolerance to humans, burrowing owl numbers are nonetheless in decline. The once undisturbed grasslands of Canada’s prairies have been significantly altered by expanding agriculture and human settlement. This ESRF-funded project was well acquainted with the struggles facing burrowing owls, and in 2003 they focused on two areas essential for this species’ long-term survival: habitat stewardship and habitat enhancement, as well as public education and population monitoring.
Despite its tolerance to humans, burrowing owl numbers are nonetheless in decline. The once undisturbed grasslands of Canada’s prairies have been significantly altered by expanding agriculture and human settlement. This ESRF-funded project was well acquainted with the struggles facing burrowing owls, and in 2003 they focused on two areas essential for this species’ long-term survival: habitat stewardship and habitat enhancement, as well as public education and population monitoring.
Athene cunicularia Burrowing owl Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
The project team have been successful in encouraging and coordinating voluntary stewardship agreements with landowners. In the 2003 field season, 6 new landowners became stewards of burrowing owl habitat, adding to the existing 450 stewards from previous years. This amounts to over 22,000 ha of conserved prairie habitat. In addition, twenty-tree landowners were visited and educated about the species, threats to their survival and conservation efforts. All visits were positive and provided an opportunity to deepen the relationship in the future.
Over the 2003 season, three hands-on habitat enhancement projects were completed. This involved working with landowners toward physically enlarging or improving crucial grassland habitats on their property.
Long-term projects such as this will make the difference for the burrowing owl on the Canadian landscape. Already the annual census of the Saskatchewan sites shows that populations are on the rise. But the work is not finished, there are more landowners to educate, more habitat to enhance if we are to conserve this species permanently.
Over the 2003 season, three hands-on habitat enhancement projects were completed. This involved working with landowners toward physically enlarging or improving crucial grassland habitats on their property.
Long-term projects such as this will make the difference for the burrowing owl on the Canadian landscape. Already the annual census of the Saskatchewan sites shows that populations are on the rise. But the work is not finished, there are more landowners to educate, more habitat to enhance if we are to conserve this species permanently.