Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) 2003 nest site survey of Shoshone BLM Field Office area and adjacent lands

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Once widely known from prairies and deserts to pastures, fields, and rangelands the Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is no longer a common sight. Ever increasing urbanization and agricultural conversion of open lands from Canada to Mexico, destruction of burrowing mammals such as badgers use of agricultural pesticides, trampling of nest sites by domestic livestock, fatal collisions with traffic, and the potential for diseases such as West Nile Virus are all identified factors relating to the alarming losses being suffered by this native owl within portions of its western range. The Western Burrowing Owl was listed in 1979 as “Threatened” in Canada; the Canadian designation was changed to “Endangered” in 1995. The Western Burrowing Owl was federally listed by Mexico as “Threatened” in 1994.Within the U.S., the Western Burrowing Owl was maintained as a federal Category 2 candidate species for federal listing from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discontinued use of its Category 2 designations. Currently, the only federal protection afforded the Western Burrowing Owl within the U.S. is under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently maintains the Western Burrowing Owl as a “National Bird of Conservation Concern.” Although Idaho maintains the Flammulated Owl, Northern Pygmy Owl, Great Gray Owl, and Boreal Owl as Species of Special Concern, the Western Burrowing Owl is only an Idaho State Sensitive species as of the date of this report. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) surveys for Western Burrowing Owls (covering an approximate 20-year time period) have been performed on Shoshone BLM Field Office lands in south-central Idaho. Original and subsequent nest site surveys located over 200 Western Burrowing Owl nest sites. The study area stretches from the Bennett Hills and adjoining lowlands to lands now included within the Craters of the Moon Monument Expansion, and to lands on the eastern boundary of the Shoshone BLM Field Office Area now administered by the Burley BLM Field Office. Red Willow Research Inc. teamed up with Prairie Falcon Audubon Society and other volunteers in 2003 to provide the labor necessary to complete a re-survey of nearly all of the original 200-plus nest sites. Transportation and related field survey costs were funded entirely through public donations. The following report provides an overview of Western Burrowing Owl biology, provides a review of the current conservation status of this species, and discusses threats to the persistence of the Western Burrowing Owl. The report also provides project history and background, provides 2003 project results, and provides Burrowing Owl conservation and management recommendations for local and regional wildlife managers.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - ZOOLOGY: BIRDS; ANIMAL EF: ATHENE CUNICULARIA HYPUGAEA