Photograph: Cheryl Reynolds
Beaver friend Scott from the birdblog JournOwl has spotted several families of burrowing owls on a semi-abandoned RDA site in Antioch. Just like the pond turtle they are a species of Special Concern and their numbers are carefully watched around the state. He is working with city officials to get them protected but has had better luck getting the abandoned project to lock up than he is likely to have setting asside habitat for these feathered cuties. An update from Scott follows.
August 28 I am a bit overdue for a burrowing owl update so here’s the latest scoop… YAY! An email to the Director of Community Development , Police Chief, and Project Manager/Property Owner resulted in an immediate response. In the letter I outlined all of the issues that have befallen this semi-developed property and my concern for the safety of the surrounding neighbors, including myself. Shielded from prying eyes during day and evening hours, the area has become the perfect place for drug deals, graffiti, drinking, off-roading, garbage dumping, etc. I received a response within 10 minutes from the Chief of Police indicating that he will look into the matter and have someone contact me for further details. Within a day I received a separate note from the Director of Community Development letting me know the owner will be contacted to barricade the property. And while I was away my wife informed me that a number of Patrol Officers called and left messages confirming my observations. They also indicated the owner will be contacted by their department to erect temporary fencing. And wrapped within this mess are burrowing owls, California Species of Special Concern, that returned to the area after building was put on hold. With fencing scheduled to return to the area and temporary protections in place, I will be able to move to step 2 and push for the owls’ ultimate protection. Taking it one step at a time…
