From Ojai Raptor Center

Yesterday [10 OCT], the California Fish and Game Commission made a significant move in the fight to protect the Western Burrowing Owl, granting it “candidate” status under the California Endangered Species Act. This means the species will be temporarily protected while a full review is conducted over the next 12 to 18 months. Burrowing owls are facing steep declines with only 225 breeding pairs left in parts of central and southwestern California.

Though Sacramento was too far for our team to attend, we felt strongly about having a presence at this important meeting, especially in memory of our recently passed Burrowing Owl ambassador, Topper. These unique owls, who roost and nest underground, face countless threats, and we believe they deserve full protection to safeguard their future. Click the link below [here] to read more about what this decision means for the Western Burrowing Owl.

The link is short but informative and has a cute picture, so I encourage you to read it.

  • FuglyDuck
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    312 hours ago

    They found the pot of gold?

    • anon6789OP
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      28 hours ago

      Nah, those grabby little ground squirrels cleared out all the loot and moved to the Valley before the owls got there.

      • FuglyDuck
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        7 hours ago

        Time to snack on grabby little ground squirrels, then. Seriously, though, how perfectly aligned is that rainbow?

        • anon6789OP
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          17 hours ago

          It is a wonderful shot!

  • Optional
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    41 day ago

    Yay! More burrowing owls (who don’t actually burrow)!

    • @[email protected]
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      17 hours ago

      Had to look this up to understand. For anyone who doesn’t know, they move into existing burrows made by prarie dogs and such.

    • anon6789OP
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      51 day ago

      They’re just such fans of animal architecture that they named themselves after their favorite style.