RECOMMENDATIONS BURROWING OWLS

“Specific recommendations for dealing with environmental opposition to Florida Atlantic University's construction plans on a burrowing owls site”



“Specific recommendations for dealing with environmental opposition to Florida Atlantic University's construction plans on a burrowing owls site”

Introduction

To be able to initiate construction at Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus, it is essential to understand the concerns environmental agencies, our students and faculty alike may have. The grounds assigned for construction expansion are the home for Burrowing owls; therefore, it is vital to study and know their nature and the way they live, so a comprehensive plan can be implemented to relocate them into a place similar to the habitat they are accustomed to at Florida Atlantic University's grounds.

It is also essential to consider the all the possible advantages that the Florida Atlantic University's construction plan has for the university, its students and the city. The Stadium will act as a weapon and prevent other universities from taking Florida Atlantic University's athletes away because of their lack of stadium. One of the biggest advantages of the Stadium is that it will facilitate the athletes and students of the university in addition to attraction a mass of interested players and students.

Burrowing owls

The Burrowing owl nests underground in clear vegetation and a wide range of habitats, and is the only Raptor or bird of prey. Burrowing owls will readily nest in underground man- made burrows and will utilize burrows dug by badgers, ground squirrels, and other fossorial mammals. Breeding begins from February to July in Florida, with some rare exceptions as early as January and as late as August.

When food is abundant, a second brood may be raised by the burrowing owls, capitalizing on the availability. Their primary prey is small rodents and insects, but they are opportunistic predators. Consistent with colonial nesters, burrowing owls nest close to one another. Among sites and within a site the distance between nests varies depending on prey availability and burrow (Plumpton, D.L. 1999).

Florida Environmental volunteers

Institute for Bird Populations since the early 80's have coordinated a statewide volunteer-based survey to assess owl distribution, and abundance in the Cape Coral and its sandy soil. This is because of the availability of prey as owl nests underground in clear vegetation and a wide range of habitats which are similar to this area. Their primary prey is small rodents and insects, but they are opportunistic predators and nest close to one another.

Dedicated volunteers working primarily through local Audubon chapters and other birding groups have provided valuable data on the Burrowing owl population. The results of the study clearly show that Cape Coral is the place with the largest concentration of burrowing owls in Florida, and needs the assistance of volunteers to insure their prosperity, as it is very easy to harm them.

In addition, the survey concluded that the population is highly fragmented and will decline if volunteers and residents do not support them in every way possible. Some populations have virtually disappeared from the open native prairies of central ...