A small population of Burrowing Owls in Charlotte County has been increasing with the help of a group of  birders and conservationists.

Pam Moran and Barbara Lockhart of North Port Conservancy and Surrounding Areas installed perches and signage and Dave Lancaster, a PRAS member had been weekeating around the burrows for a few years.

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Bren Curtis, President of PRAS started monitoring the Burrowing Owls in the 2024 nesting season. Approximately 10 mating pairs appeared to occupy the area. Several months later, Susy D'Hont organized a stakeholder group meeting. Surveys were expanded in 2025 with the help of Eva Furner's maps, labeling burrow perches and record keeping. Approximately 30 owls have been regularly sighted in late summer. 

 

Susy D'Hont was the first to purchase a lot for their habitat. Eva Furner, Lemon Bay Conservancy is in charge of the acquistion of conservation land lots 2024-2025.

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The nesting season was disappointing in the southeast area. None of the 13 owlets survived. There were 12 total nesting burrows where owlets were documented. The first owlets seen were in the south east area on April 27 (5 in total). Survival totals estimated to be 15-18 of the 26 owlets sighted in the southwest areas.  Drought and a few days of heavy rainfall may have contributed to the loss.

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Population estimates were 12 nesting pairs, high count of adults was 29. The maximum total might have been 37-40. 

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Initially eight artificial burrows were installed on 4 different lots but only 2 were used by the owls on a regular basis in the first year. As more owls have discovered the installed burrows and acclimated to them, they have been seen near the entrences increasingly. More artificial burrows will be installed as lots are acquired.

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