WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE DESCRIPTION AN OWL OR BURROW Burrowing »» Small, ground-dwelling »» Keep your distance. Retreat at least 50 METRES owl (23–28 cm) from the owl/burrow. Owl »» Round head lacking ear »» Do not approach a natural or artificial burrow. tufts, white chin stripe This buffer is especially important during nesting season which is APRIL 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 1ST. »» Yellow eyes Athene cunicularia »» Leave the area and contact the Burrowing Owl »» Body brown with pale/ Conservation Society of British Columbia at white bars and spots [email protected] to report date, time and location »» Long legs, stubby tail, of observation. large wings FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT British Columbia at: https://www.burrowingowlbc.org/ or contact [email protected]

REFERENCES »» British Columbia Conservation Data Centre »» British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air CONSERVATION STATUS Protection. 2004. Accounts and Measures for Managing Identified Wildlife. Version 2004. Biodiversity Branch, Identified Wildlife Management Strategy, Victoria, B.C. B.C. LIST: Red »» Presently confined to areas within the Thompson- http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/identified/ COSEWIC: Endangered (April 2017) Okanagan Plateau iwABNSB10010.pdf »» Elevation 335 – 1,250 m

»» Important habitat includes short grass and sparsely PHOTO CREDITS vegetated areas with available burrows located near Cover: Burrowing Owls on fence by Lauren Meads densely vegetated areas to supply adequate prey Inside gate: Burrowing Owl by Lauren Meads Inside left: Burrowing Owl by Lauren Meads »» Associated with grasslands and semi-arid Inside centre: Artificial burrows by FLNRORD, Juveniles by artificial burrow desert landscapes by Lauren Meads Inside right: Burrowing owls before release by FLNRORD Back: Burrowing owls by FLNRORD BURROWING OWL CONSERVATION DIET MIGRATORY CYCLE SOCIETY OF BRITSH COLUMBIA

»» Prey mostly on insects and small mammals The Burrowing Owl Conservation Society »» April to May: Return to breeding areas »» During the day, prey on insects near the burrows of BC is an environmental organization »» late-April to late-May: Egg laying begins working to restore a self-sustaining »» At night forage for small mammals »» mid-May to late-June: Hatching occurs population of burrowing owls to the southern interior grasslands of B.C. »» mid-July: Young emerge from nest »» September and October: Migration occurs THREATS WHAT WE DO: »» RAISE and care for owls by breeding populations and raising them in facilities for release OWL AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES »» Decline in suitable grassland habitat due to agricultural »» CREATE habitat by constructing artificial burrows and urban development. for the released owls Humans can pose a »» Decline in natural burrows available due to persecution »» PROMOTE grassland biodiversity – promote habitat threat to the survival and of burrowing mammals. enhancement activities and develop education programs for the public reproduction success »» Insecticide and rodenticide use »» INSPIRE conservation of burrowing owls by »» Increased predation—due to increase in the abundance getting too close to of coyote and avian predation; Red-tailed Hawks and owls and their burrows. other raptors. Stay at least 50 m away »» Poaching or accidental shooting (mistaken for ground from owls and burrows. squirrels) If you are too close: »» Vehicle collisions »» The owls may abandon their nests, especially early in the nesting season during territorial establishment, courtship, and incubation »» The young can be distracted and become easy targets for aerial predators »» The adults waste energy and hunting time while in defense-mode FUN FACTS »» The adults may fly away from the nests, leaving »» Burrowing owls themselves and young owls at risk of predation do not dig their own burrows but occupy WILDLIFE ACT burrows made by Burrowing owls are listed as an endangered species mammals under the Wildlife Act. Burrowing owl nests are (i.e. badger, coyote, protected year-round under Section 34 of the marmot) Wildlife Act. »» Burrowing owls line their nesting burrows with “MOLESTATION” IS AN OFFENCE UNDER BRITISH cow chips to attract insects (for eating). This is also COLUMBIA’S Wildlife Act. believed to reduce predation by masking their scent Activities near nests may be considered molestation to avoid detection if they result in birds abandoning their nests!