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The document provides a comprehensive protocol for conducting surveys and managing burrowing owl populations in Arizona, emphasizing compliance with state and federal laws regarding their protection

How to fill out burrowing owl survey and

How to fill out Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol

1. Obtain the Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol document from the relevant environmental authority.
2. Review the protocol guidelines thoroughly to understand the requirements and procedures involved.
3. Conduct a preliminary assessment of the project area to identify potential Burrowing Owl habitats.
4. Schedule surveys during the appropriate timeframe, typically between March and September when Burrowing Owls are most active.
5. Use recommended survey methods, such as visual observations and call playback, to locate Burrowing Owls.
6. Collect data on the number of Burrowing Owls observed, their behavior, and nesting sites.
7. Document findings in accordance with the protocol, ensuring accurate records of survey dates and locations.
8. If Burrowing Owls are found in the project area, follow the relocation procedures outlined in the protocol.
9. Engage with local wildlife authorities to coordinate relocation efforts if necessary.
10. Submit the completed survey results and any necessary reports to the appropriate regulatory agency.

Who needs Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

1. Construction companies planning projects in areas where Burrowing Owls may be present.
2. Environmental consultants tasked with conducting wildlife assessments for land development.
3. Government agencies responsible for wildlife conservation and habitat protection.
4. Researchers studying Burrowing Owl populations and their habitats.
5. Local authorities and municipalities aiming to comply with wildlife protection regulations.

People Also Ask about

How do you survey a Burrowing Owl?

A survey for owls and owl sign should then be conducted by walking through suitable habitat over the entire project site and within the adjacent 150 m (approx. 500 feet). These “pedestrian surveys” should follow transects (i.e. Survey transects that are spaced to allow 100% visual coverage of the ground surface.

What is the Burrowing Owl Mitigation Plan?

The Burrowing Owl Mitigation Plan will outline a plan for eviction that accounts for conditions on and adjacent to the project site, the number of owls occupying the site, and whether owls have recently used the site for breeding.

What to do if a burrowing owl is in your yard?

If the owl is alert, has no obvious sign of injury or trauma, and is in a safe environment, leave it alone. The young owl may simply be outside of its nearby burrows. Check the owl a few hours later (or the next day) for signs of parental care.

Can burrowing owls be relocated?

State policy allows burrowing owls to be “passively relocated” (excluded) from breeding sites during the non-breeding season to accommodate encroaching development. Many evicted owls don't survive and rarely do they successfully breed elsewhere.

What to do if a burrowing owl is in your yard?

If the owl is alert, has no obvious sign of injury or trauma, and is in a safe environment, leave it alone. The young owl may simply be outside of its nearby burrows. Check the owl a few hours later (or the next day) for signs of parental care.

Are burrowing owls legally protected?

Burrowing owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be a bird of conservation need.

How to survey for burrowing owls?

A survey for owls and owl sign should then be conducted by walking through suitable habitat over the entire project site and within the adjacent 150 m (approx. 500 feet). These “pedestrian surveys” should follow transects (i.e. Survey transects that are spaced to allow 100% visual coverage of the ground surface.

How do you identify a burrowing owl?

Burrowing Owls are small, sandy colored owls with bright-yellow eyes. They live underground in burrows they've dug themselves or taken over from a prairie dog, ground squirrel, or tortoise. They live in grasslands, deserts, and other open habitats, where they hunt mainly insects and rodents.

Can burrowing owls be moved?

Fortunately, the birds can be trapped and successfully relocated to safe sites—but these sites are becoming increasingly rare.

What are the 4 locations where burrowing owls are currently found?

Birds in South America, northern Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean and the southwest United States are permanent residents, while northern birds will migrate south into Mexico and Central America during the winter months after the breeding season. Little is known about their migration routes.

For pdfFiller’s FAQs

What is Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

The Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol is a set of guidelines designed to assess the presence of burrowing owls in a specific area and to facilitate their safe relocation if necessary during development or construction activities.

Who is required to file Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

Individuals or organizations planning construction, land development, or any activities that may affect habitats where burrowing owls are present are required to file the Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol.

How to fill out Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

To fill out the protocol, one must complete the required sections detailing the survey methods used, the survey results, any burrowing owl detection, and provide recommendations for relocation if necessary.

What is the purpose of Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

The purpose of the protocol is to protect burrowing owls, ensure compliance with wildlife conservation laws, and minimize impact on their populations during land-use changes.

What information must be reported on Burrowing Owl Survey and Relocation Protocol?

The report must include information on documentation of burrowing owl presence, survey dates, methods of detection, observed behavior, habitat conditions, and any actions taken for relocation.