(Picture Tammy Thomas)
It’s the season to be mindful of burrowing owls, on the roads of Saskatchewan.
Kaytlyn Burrows, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan, says young burrowing owls have hatched and are becoming more active. She says, it also exposes them to more dangers including vehicle collisions, as the owls do a lot of their hunting and eating around gravel roads and ditches. Burrows explains residents can help out by taking their time and slowing down on gravel roads.
She describes the owls as a prairie bird that are primarily found in central or southern Saskatchewan, that don’t utilize trees, and stand about the same size as an American Robin.
(Picture James Villeneuve)
Burrows says burrowing owl populations have been steadily on the decline and they are considered endangered in the province. She explains if residents spot a burrowing owl, they can report them to Nature Saskatchewan as every single sighting is critical to monitoring populations
If you spot a burrowing owl call 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or contact them by email at obo@naturesask.ca
Personal and sighting information is never shared without permission.
