[mou] Burrowing Owl- Swift Co & viewing guidance

[Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer]

Wildlife Manager Dave Trauba passed along a report from Bob Nielson of a =
Burrowing Owl observed in Swift County Moyer Township (T121N ,  R42W =
SWSWNW of Sec 32]=20

 The owl and its burrow are located =BD mile north of the jct of County =
Rd. 36 and a township road. and then; approx. 15-20 feet. north of a field =
approach on the east side of the road. At this point, we do not know if =
this is a lone owl or if this is a pair attempting to nest. My understandin=
g is that females are often not seen out side of the burrow early in the =
nesting season, so we may not know for some time.

=20
Unfortunately,  this is a very vulnerable situation.

            -   If this is a nesting attempt, it would still be very early =
in  the incubation stage  and very subject to nest              =20
       abandonment  =20
            -         Wet cold weather makes for more difficult hunting =
since insects are a key   part of their diet
            -         The burrow is on the gravel edge of the road. =
Disturbance, road mortality and/or damage to the burrow are critical =
threats.
[ Note:   We know of many species of birds in which there is a great deal =
of individual variation to tolerance for human activity.  Birds that nest =
near human activity such as airports, cities, or roads may have, or have =
learned to, adapt to that activity.  Other members of the same species may =
flee humans on site.  There is no question that burrowing owls, in many =
places, will nest very close to human activity, however, that does notmean =
that the owls that are nesting in western Minnesota will have the same =
tolerance.  Also, birds learn to recognize behaviors that are non-threateni=
ng; ie. planes landing at an airport, cars driving by,farmers on tractors, =
but will still become disturbed by unfamiliar behaviors such as cars =
stopping or people walking nearby or staring at them through binoculars}

=20
Because the Burrowing Owl is a State Endangered Species , it's best to err =
on the side of caution.

 As such, I have contacted the County Highway Dept who also has cautioned =
their contractor  who does the road grading.  My understanding is that =
today the County also erected road markers ~ 100 feet on either side of =
the burrow in an effort to direct traffic around that side of the road and =
to help minimize risk or disturbance to the owl(s) or burrow.

=20
Last year,  I'd consulted with experts including John Schladweiler (DNR)  =
and Mark Martell (formerly of Raptor Ctr now Audubon) who more or less =
have the market cornered on burrowing owl research in MN.  I also gathered =
advice and input from knowledgeable birders. Collectively, we devised =
viewing guidelines that work for both people and the owls.   e.g.CraigMande=
l, Carol Schumacher  & others noted that burrowing owl(s) can be viewed =
easily from several tenths of a mile and will most likely remain out of =
their burrow more often if you stay back .=20

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Burrowing Owls certainly are a find!
 In an effort to help people experience and enjoy this cool little bird =
but still give them the very best chance we can, we ask that everyone give =
these Endangered birds the space and respect that they deserve.=20
Further, they're more likely to hang around (maybe nest?) if we give them =
a chance. The best viewing opportunities for these birds will be had once =
the eggs hatch and the adults and young emerge from the burrow.  =20
Now that would be cool!

   Viewing Guidance
   -Please view burrowing owls with a scope from no closer than 0.15 mile =
(perhaps 0.2 mile especially if there is lots of traffic or if the bird =
gets agitated)
   -Travel past the burrow on the road is also highly discouraged.  =20
   -When you've finished viewing the owl(s), please turn around rather =
than driving past the burrow on the road.

 We thank everyone in advance for your help and cooperation. =20
Updates on the owl(s) are highly appreciated. This will give us a better =
idea if additional conservation measures are needed.  (e.g.  if  this is a =
nesting pair or there are specific threats to the site)

=20
 Many thanks,

Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer
Nongame Wildlife Specialist
MN DNR Region 4
261 Hwy 15 South
New Ulm, MN 56073
 phone:  ( 507) 359-6033
fax:   (507) 359-6018
 e-mail:  lisa.gelvin-innvaer@dnr.state.mn.us

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REMEMBER: IT'S ALL FOR THE BIRDS!

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