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.

​Bren Curtis, President of PRAS started monitoring the Burrowing Owls in the 2023 nesting season. Approximately 10 mating pairs appeared to occupy the area. A year and a half 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, retired Board Director for Lemon Bay Conservancy took charge of the acquisition of conservation land lots.

For more information including how to donate to buy lots, go to 

https://lemonbayconservancy.org/burrowing-owls/

​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). The nesting season was disappointing in that southeast area. None of the 13 owlets survived. Survival totals estimated to be 15-18 of the 26 owlets sighted.  Drought and a few days of heavy rainfall as well as predation or illness may have contributed to the loss 

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

​Lemon Bay Conservancy guided installation of artificial burrows on accrued lots with advice from Kelly Peluso of Project Perch. It took months for the owls to discover the new burrows. As more owls have discovered the installed burrows and acclimated to them, they have been seen near the entrances increasingly. A fed residents asked for installation of artificial burrows on their undeveloped lot. More lots were purchased with Lemon Bay Conservancy donations. Next year's goal is $100,000 for lots.​​​

Susy D'Hont organized a daily survey group of volunteers to keep an eye on the Gasparilla Road colony. Bren Curtis has located seven active burrows on private lots or resident yards in Punta Gorda. There is another burrow in a cow pasture along Live Oak Dirt Road off of Hwy 17. You can report discoveries of burrows to praspresident @gmail.com

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Lemon Bay Conservancy has a new leader, Michelle Vanderhaar, formerly a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more than 20 years, she has worked as a Private Lands Biologist, helping landowners as partners to restore & protect wetlands, grasslands, streams, and coastal habitats that support wildlife, clean water, and healthy ecosystems. She enjoys mentoring staff, supporting community-led conservation, and finding practical, inclusive ways to connect people with nature. Her work reflects a long-term commitment to caring for natural landscapes while building strong, trusted relationships with the people who live and work there. In her new position, Michelle will be responsible for working with the Board of Directors to develop a strategic plan for the organization, expanding outreach to our community to increase engagement with LBC’s programs, and guiding day-to-day operations.