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Burrowing Owls: No Homes for the Holidays?
It might be a bit premature, but I have my New Year’s wish already in place. Let’s just call it a stay of execution for 11 burrowing owls and who knows how many California ground squirrels. As reported here on Dec. 15th in Burrowing Owl Mitigation is Eradication and Eviction, I finally received the burrowing owl relocation plan for the Blue Ridge housing development in Antioch, CA. Contained within the California Department of Fish & Game approved document were instructions that called for passive eviction for the owls and fumigation for the squirrels by February 1st. I imagined I had a few weeks to formulate a plan of action considering the onset of the Holidays, but my grave miscalculation was evident a mere 4 days later.
Perhaps a coincidence that action occurred just after the paperwork was released, perhaps a need to beat a looming February 1st deadline, perchance it was a ploy to covertly begin eviction under the fog of Holiday cheer when concerned citizens might be distracted, but most likely it was a combination of the latter two scenarios. In any event, I stumbled upon the first round of evictions by Kiper Homes’ consulting firm way sooner than expected. As I wandered through the unlocked chain link fence I found a team of 3 actively enlarging the burrows of the owls my wife and I have come to obsess over in terms of their protection. I continued down the middle of the street looking over burrows marked with flags of orange and red, plexi-glass fitted one-way doors blocking burrows that sheltered a family during breeding season, and adjacent burrows that provided extra cover were now overflowing with soil and rocks. The eviction of the first section was just about complete and the process continued uninterrupted in the background as I spoke with the principle biologist. I couldn’t help but glance over his shoulder as the shovels filled in burrows that months earlier I had cleared of garbage and debris.
And as I continued to listen to his attempts to convince me that caring for the owls was top priority, I couldn’t help but take notice that they also had plans to close up burrows just over the property line to ensure conformation to a required buffer zone. Unfortunately this land is owned by a different developer so permission to passively evict owls that flee to these borderland burrows will be granted. The border is the only suitable owl habitat as the rest of the property is characterized by taller grasses. Thus, the evicted owls will not even be able to retreat to the burrows on the adjacent undeveloped land and will be forced into trying to locate new burrows while contending with winter temperatures.
Additionally, the biologist recognized the ecosystem contribution of the California ground squirrels and their importance to many species. He said, “If one species deserves protection it is the California ground squirrel.” Yet, once a section has been cleared of owls the burrows will be fumigated in order to kill any and all squirrels. Do you sense the irony? As I questioned post-eviction survival, it was quite evident that any data pertaining to this topic was lacking. The eviction process simply functions by ASSUMPTION that displaced owls do fine and is apparently at the behest of the California Department of Fish & Game who no longer requires banding of the evicted. So again I am left with the feeling that the owls are a Species of Not So Special Concern.
And what about the owls? Well, Friday’s actions disturbed 2 pairs of owl that successfully reared young in the 2009 breeding season. Just under 60 squirrel burrows, alternate owl burrow entrances, and potential burrows were blocked, of which 28 were fitted with one-way doors that prevent owls from entering once they leave. As my wife and I wound our way around the 25 acres on Sunday documenting the effect the first round of eviction has played on the owls, I observed one pair had, as suspected, begun using unblocked burrows in their network while the other pair remained unseen. All owls were undeniably nervous, which is expected considering the recent disturbance. I observed the presence of 7 of the 11 resident owls, which is not uncommon even prior to the commencement of the relocation process. And to make matters even worse (if possible), I discovered that a locked barricade preventing access to off-roaders had been left on the street in a twisted heap of metal and wood. The fence had been rammed by the invaders and provided admission to a fairly secret muddy playground. The dirt tracks on the pavement, downed street signs, torn up lots, and scattered beer cans were more than enough evidence to follow their activities long after they had retreated. I could even see burrows that had been driven over. So besides fighting to keep their homes, the owls are still being plagued by off-roaders who have no respect for someone else’s property let alone a group of owls.
While shoppers hop from store to store in an effort to finalize any lingering items on their Christmas lists, a network of burrowing owl friends have been working behind the scenes to spread the word, garner help and secure a little protection for this California Species of Special Concern.
Thanks Larry of The Birders Report (Check out his latest post on Burrowing owls and find out who to contact regarding changing current relocation practices), Dee Vieira (Burrowing Owl Activist in Antioch, CA), and Catherine Portman of the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society for all the weekend assistance.
Stay tuned for the latest information on the Blue Ridge Development burrowing owls!
Heather surveying damage and owls
About The Author
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by journowl and journowl, John Peter Thompson. John Peter Thompson said: RT @journowl: Antioch Burrowing Owls face Holiday eviction. Spread the word as we try to help! http://bit.ly/6EIGRK #earthtweets #birding [...]
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by journowl: Antioch Burrowing Owls face Holiday eviction. Spread the word as we try to help! http://bit.ly/6EIGRK #earthtweets #birding…
Don’t loose hope Scott. Just like in the movie “Hoot” we might be able to pull off a last minute miracle! More phone calls and publicity coming our way this week. Wouldn’t it be great to get some news teams down there with video cameras asking some tough questions about “passive relocation?”
Larry Jordan´s last blog ..Burrowing Owls Being Evicted From Their Homes In Antioch, California
Thanks Larry. I do have some hope still…so I left the question mark in the title. Thanks to everyone’s help we are getting some movement. I received word tonight that an article should be going up on Bay Nature Magazine’s website tomorrow, and hopefully the SF Chronicle will call about the situation too. I sent some photos over to BOPS, and with Monday rolling around we should hopefuly get more responses.
Everyone has been great in spreading the word!
[...] Happy Solstice to You To This entry is part 8 of 9 in the series Humans & WildlifeHumans & Wildlife“Let Nature Take its Course”Nesting SeasonWhat’s on your back porch?Heck of a job, Brownie.Beaver BattlesThe Opposite of CamouflageRevelationsHappy Solstice to You ToBlame the Rodent!Burrowing Owl Eviction Begins. [...]
I am just catching up with this story (and your blog in general). Sounds like you are working hard for the owls – I’m rooting for them. This is one of those posts that makes me wish I could take back my purchase of a home in a neighborhood and find a small cabin somewhere, not wanting to take more space than I need. (Yes, I’m reading Walden right now.)
Amber Coakley´s last blog ..Wheel Bug!
I think we all (or many of us) have those same thoughts so you are not alone. No matter what ultimately happens for these particular owls, I plan to continue working locally on this issue so as to avoid what articles and publications have predicted if procedures and activities don’t change…loss of burrowing owls in the East Bay.
[...] defenders will show up and demand better treatment than eviction. I helped design the sign and put Scott in touch with some headwinds that will blow him in the right direction. I thought I’d share. [...]
I recently found your article and feel the same way about relocation. I have been doing some research on the subject (how I found your post) and discovered a group in Arizona who rescues the BUOW and creates new homes for them on nearby land. Of course we would have to find local property owners willing to house new burrows, and there is this extreme time crunch, but with enough help it might work. Maybe the developer would issue a stay of execution if a group stepped in with a solution that just needed a little more time, say till Jan 31. I would be willing to put my time and money where my heart is and I’m sure I could gather help. Has this effort been tried before?
Thanks for the visit and comment Theresa. I also appologize for the delayed response as I have been completely inundated. We are currently exploring options to extend the time (through legal methods) if not for relocation, but to install artificial burows at a nearby preserve. The EIR was approved in 1995 and appears there have been no supplemental reviews now that owls have moved in.
If we can get artificial burrow approval, it might be something a few of us have to pitch in money and time-wise….but well worth it. I’ll definitely keep you posted.
I am confused why no-one seems to care about the well-being of the development company. I did some research and found that these lots had been entirely processed and readied for building (a very expensive process) before these owls even arrived. The owls, then, are not in a natural habitat. They are invading the company’s property, and I credit the developers with having the patience to address your concerns and at least try to evict them humanely. But in the end, its their land and they are taking legal measures to solve the problem. Stop pestering them.
Just a thought:
If you had just built a swimming pool and an endangered croc or bear or whatever decided to move in, would you let it be?
Thanks for visiting/watching the video and providing comments here as well. Being that there was an error on YouTube for replies, I will respond to both messages in this forum (and perhaps on YouTube when the problem is resolved). The video is a SOCIAL COMMENTARY on the situation that is currently unfolding and has been unfolding for years in the Bay Area. Thus, the burrowing owl population has witnessed quite a decline throughout the area. Additionally, the developer has no legal choice but to establish an eviction/relocation plan…it’s the law as they are a protected species.
With that said, I would like to present a few facts and encourage you to check out some more information on journowl.com regarding this particular piece of property. Here are a few points in response to your position/arguments:
-The land is currently and has been in a state of purgatory for a few years because of the economic decline. Kiper homes purchased the ALREADY semi-developed parcel from Shea homes in Dec. 2008.
-There is currently ZERO construction and ZERO workers on the site at this time and building is not set to commence until Spring.
-The EIR was approved way back in 1995 and needs to undergo a supplemental review to take the owls into account. Because of this, zero mitigation has been included into the EIR/CEQA documents.
-The burrowing owls, a species of special concern in California, are also protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
-Burrowing owls have a high site fidelity, require short grasses, ground squirrels, etc. Thus, they cannot just move to any open piece of land. When practices such as eradicating California ground squirrel colonies persist, the whole ecosystem suffers as well as the many species that rely upon them for survival.
-Unbridled development and lack of foresight has caused the decline of this and many species. Forcing all wildlife out without providing or designating suitable habitat is not an answer and does not bode well for society. Realistically there must be a happy medium and as it stands now wildlife is getting the short end of the stick as WE continue to approve more and more development and less and less habitat.
And I would actually contend that perhaps too much concern HAS been afforded to developers as city councils, etc. continue to approve projects before completely understanding the ramifications of those actions on the residents…human and wildlife.
How would you like us to be taking action? I live in San Carlos. thanks.
Hi Julie,
Regarding things that you can do to help, WildCare Bay Area has posted an action alert requesting concerned people contact and appeal to the developer directly. As the evictions continue, we hope that the developer will want some good publicity by doing what is right for the owls and our community.
http://www.wildcarebayarea.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TakeAction_Antioch_Burrowing_Owls
I am also asking for everyone to send a letter to the Attorney General and Director of Fish & Game (sample letters/contact details at http://friendsofeastbayowls.org).
Additionally, it is indeed important for us to keep spreading the word as our ultimate goal is to change the CDFG policy that is by no means helping this species.
Thanks for your support.