Heidi
Eileen
Mike B.
Lana
A Burrowing Owl Omen
It has been 6 days since I have seen a burrowing owl on the Blue Ridge development site in Antioch, CA. With observations spanning well over a year now, these 6 days are the only ones in which a sighting did not occur. I can honestly say it was akin to watching an extinction unfold in fast-forward as the resident owls disappeared pair by pair and individual by individual in a mere 4 weeks. Just prior to the onset of a weeklong storm that is now darkening the skies of the S.F. Bay Area, the last occupied burrow that I know of was systematically fitted with a one-way eviction door. The burrowing owl pair and the home that sheltered their 6 offspring in June 2009 is nothing more than an impression in the dirt just above the retaining wall that foretold the future… and had now become the present.
As I sat in front of the monitor writing this update, I was overcome with the need to walk the property’s perimeter in the hope that burrowing owl evidence would be found. I scanned the landscape that was now eerily owl free. Some meadow larks darted from the ground to the retaining wall as I clutched the links of the fence. Nothing. I rounded the block and investigated the two remaining squirrel burrows that have been flagged for closure. Perhaps fleeing owls would utilize these available squirrel dens for shelter from the rain. They were in a state of disrepair and as far as owls, nothing.
I turned my back to look over the last section comprising the morning’s burrowing owl hunt and was greeted with a Shakespearian omen that was quite fitting considering the events that have unfolded. Adjacent to once occupied burrows was a turkey vulture sitting idle amongst the sprouting grasses. I squinted to see what had drawn the scavenger and braced myself for potentially finding a sequel to my first encounter with the remnants of a dead owl in the waning days of summer. And with a sigh of relief…nothing.
And so officially begins the quest to change California Department of Fish and Game’s (CDFG) eviction policies and save an owl from filling a slot on our state’s list of threatened and endangered species. I will be posting additional information and my follow up letter to the Attorney General this week.
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Scott, I am so saddened to read this. You put so much effort into trying to help these owls. I am glad you want to direct that energy now into changing policy. It won’t be easy, but I think you’ve gathered a lot of burrowing owl supportors in the past few weeks who want to help! It makes me so sad to wonder where the owls are taking shelter during this terrible weather. I hope at least some of them have found a safe haven.
Thanks Maggie…you have been a tremendous help. I have some great information, some DFG insiders concerned for the species, and the will to continue pushing the issue until someone finally listens. I just sent documents and letter to the Attorney General and Governor so perhaps it may spark a response.
I did see an owl sitting on a fence post tonight adjacent to the property. Because it was dark I was unable to make an ID, but I have seen zero owl/burrow activity since last week. It is a good possibility that the owl is one of the evicted ones due to their high site fidelity. But, there are a few other residents along the canal/bypass so I cannot say for sure. However, because of the sighting I will canvas the area once again to see if a new burrow has popped up that may be housing this guy. It is all so sad especially with all of the rain we have been having this week.
I think this is a terrible and very sad injustice to such a unique and fascinating Bird species. I suppose some would call it ‘progress’, but in reality,such means of redevelopment is quite possibly, one of the most destructive activities that humans carry out, on a regular basis. Developers are getting away with it, Authorities are allowing the demise of a species without listening to the full facts and ignoring not just the local communities, but the masses from far and wide. This is bad karma. Shame on them!
Keep up the good work Scott, like I said before, don’t give up the fight – and remember, your Wildlife needs selfless people like you and someday soon, you will be paid in kind, for your efforts.
Thank you for the kind words and breaking down the issue. Everything you said regarding the situation is spot on and I will continue to fight with my network of friends/concerned residents to change the eviciton policy. There is no doubt that the current practices authorized by the Fish & Game is contributing heavily to the burrowing owl decline. The last survey by the Institute for Bird Populations found a 50% burrowing owl decline in the S.F. Bay Area over the last 10-15 years…now we just need to turn the spotlight on the agency for working against conservation efforts.
Thanks for your support!
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