I recently spoke with Bob Wilkerson, Staff Biologist for The Institute for Bird Populations. Bob is currently involved in studying the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in California. This species is a California Species of Special Concern, as its population is declining due to habitat loss to urban and agricultural development as well as ground squirrel control. The Institute is coordinating a state-wide, volunteer-based survey to help asses the status and population trends of the Burrowing Owl in California.

Bob is putting together a training lecture to teach volunteer field observers how to use the Burrowing Owl survey protocol in the field. He's in need of pictures of male, female and juvenile birds as well as birds in different types of habitat that show a variety of burrow locations like along drainage ditches in the Imperial Valley to fairly intact grasslands or sparse desert scrub areas.

For more information on this study, please visit the Institute's Burrowing Owl Project page. If you live in California and can participate in the survey or have photos to contribute to the training lecture, please contact Bob. His information is below. This is a great opportunity to help in the survival of the Burrowing Owl, and you'll also get a nice credit if your photo is used.

Bob Wilkerson
Staff Biologist
The Institute for Bird Populations
P.O. Box 1346
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Phone: 415-663-2051
Fax: 415-663-9482
Email: bwilkerson@birdpop.org
Website: www.birdpop.org

they are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!

That looks great!

their so cute!! thats why I'm doing a report on them!

I just saw the movie hoot which is based on these owls you should most definatly see it

I am starting my surveys this weekend. I can't wait!!!