Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Plan
2012-2017
Alberta Species at Risk Recovery Plan No. 21
Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Plan
2012-2017
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
October 2012
Publication No.: I/567
ISBN: 978-0-7785-9781-0 (Printed Edition)
ISBN: 978-0-7785-9782-7 (On-line Edition)
ISSN: 1702-4897 (Printed Edition)
ISSN: 1702-4900 (On-line Edition)
Cover Photos: R. Poulin (left, right), T. Kemper (centre)
For copies of this report, contact:
Information Centre – Publications
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
Main Floor, Great West Life Building
9920 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2M4
Telephone (780) 422-2079
OR
Visit the Alberta Species at Risk Program web site at:
http://srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/SpeciesAtRisk
This publication may be cited as:
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. 2012. Alberta Burrowing Owl
Recovery Plan 2012-2017. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development,
Alberta Recovery Plan No. 21, Edmonton, AB. 27 pp.
ii
PREFACE
Albertans are fortunate to share their province with a diverse variety of wild species. Populations
of most species of plants and animals are healthy and secure. However, a small number of
species are either naturally rare or are now imperiled because of human activities. Recovery
plans establish a basis for cooperation among government, industry, conservation groups,
landowners and other stakeholders to ensure these species and populations are restored or
maintained for future generations.
Alberta’s commitment to the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk and to the National
Framework for the Conservation of Species at Risk, combined with requirements established
under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and the federal Species at Risk Act, has resulted in the development
of a provincial recovery program. The overall goal of the recovery program is to restore species
identified as Threatened or Endangered to viable, naturally self-sustaining populations within
Alberta. The policy document: Alberta’s Strategy for the Management of Species at Risk (20092014) provides broader program context for recovery activities.
Alberta species at risk recovery plans are prepared under the supervision of the Species at Risk
Program, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. This often includes
involvement of a recovery team composed of a variety of stakeholders including conservation
organizations, industry, landowners, resource users, universities, government agencies and
others. Membership is by invitation from the Director of Wildlife Management, and may include
representation from the diversity of interests unique to each species and circumstance.
Conservation and management of these species continues during preparation of the recovery
plan.
The Director of Wildlife Management provides these plans as advice to the Minister responsible
for fish and wildlife management. Alberta’s Endangered Species Conservation Committee also
reviews draft recovery plans, and provides recommendations to the Minister. Additional
opportunities for review by the public may also be provided. Plans accepted and approved for
implementation by the Minister are published as a government recovery plan. Approved plans
are a summary of the Department’s commitment to work with involved stakeholders to
coordinate and implement conservation actions necessary to restore or maintain these species.
Recovery plans include three main sections: background information that highlights the species’
biology, population trends, and threats; a recovery section that outlines goals, objectives, and
strategies to address the threats; and an action plan that profiles priority actions required to
maintain or restore the Threatened or Endangered species. Each approved recovery plan
undergoes regular review, and progress of implementation is evaluated. Implementation of each
recovery plan is subject to the availability of resources, from within and from outside
government.
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE __________________________________________________________________________iii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ____________________________________________________________iii
1.0 INTRODUCTION ________________________________________________________________ 1
1.1 Provincial Status________________________________________________________________ 1
1.2 Recovery Team_________________________________________________________________ 1
1.3 Guiding Principles ______________________________________________________________ 1
2.0 BURROWING OWL BIOLOGY_____________________________________________________ 2
2.1 Range, Distribution, and Population Trends of the Burrowing Owl ________________________ 2
2.2 Natural History Characteristics and Habitat Requirements _______________________________ 3
3.0 POPULATION THREATS AND LIMITING FACTORS__________________________________ 5
3.1 Habitat Loss and Modification _____________________________________________________ 5
3.2 Mortality of Mature Birds on Breeding Grounds _______________________________________ 6
3.3 Low Productivity _______________________________________________________________ 6
3.4 Human Disturbance, Industrial Development _________________________________________ 7
4.0 CRITICAL HABITAT _____________________________________________________________ 7
5.0 KNOWLEDGE GAPS _____________________________________________________________ 8
6.0 RECENT RECOVERY AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS_______________________________ 8
7.0 RECOVERY STRATEGY __________________________________________________________ 9
7.1 Biological and Technical Feasibility ________________________________________________ 9
7.2 Recovery Goal _________________________________________________________________ 9
7.3 Short-term Recovery Objectives __________________________________________________ 10
7.4 Strategies for Recovery _________________________________________________________ 10
8.0 ACTION PLAN _________________________________________________________________ 11
8.1 Habitat Management and Protection _______________________________________________ 11
8.2 Population Conservation and Management __________________________________________ 13
8.3 Population Monitoring __________________________________________________________ 14
8.4 Information and Outreach________________________________________________________ 15
8.5 Research _____________________________________________________________________ 15
8.6 Resourcing ___________________________________________________________________ 16
8.7 Plan Management and Administration ______________________________________________ 16
9.0 IMPLEMENTATION TABLE ______________________________________________________ 18
10.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS __________________________________________ 21
11.0 MULTIPLE SPECIES AT RISK AND RELATED RECOVERY STRATEGIES _____________ 22
iv
12.0 PLAN REVIEW, AMENDMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION __________________________ 23
13.0 LITERATURE CITED ___________________________________________________________ 24
Personal Communications ____________________________________________________________ 27
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Distribution of the burrowing owl in Canada in the 1970s, 1993, and 2004 .................. 3
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Species at Risk Program of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
funded the preparation of the Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Plan.
The 2012-2017 Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Plan was prepared for Alberta Environment
and Sustainable Resource Development by Arlen Todd, Joel Nicholson, Brandy Downey
(AESRD), Dave Scobie (Member at Large) and Troy Wellicome (CWS). Danielle Todd
provided the distribution map. Richard Quinlan, Gord Court, Dave Prescott Cindy Kemper and
Scott Stevens provided reviews.
Thank you to Arlen Todd, who chaired the Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Team from its
inception in 2001 through to his retirement in 2010. The implementation of many of the
recovery actions completed for the burrowing owl in Alberta would not have been possible
without his guidance, enthusiasm or creativity.
2005-2010 Acknowledgements
We thank all the members of the Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Team and their respective
organizations for providing in-kind support during the preparation and implementation of the
2005-2010 plan; Dana Blouin (Nature Conservancy of Canada), Nancy Boutilier (AESRD),
Clayton Curry (Special Areas), Scott Grindal (Cononco Phillips), Craig Horner (Alberta Beef
Producers), Dug Major (Special Areas Board), Rick Martin (Eastern Irrigation District, Joel
Nicholson (AESRD), Kevin Redden (AESRD), Dave Scobie (Member at large), Ivan Shukster
(Grassland Naturalists), Susan Skinner (Operation Grassland Community), Susan Patey-LeDrew
(Cenovus), and Troy Wellicome (Environment Canada. We acknowledge former team members
(and their employers), as follows: Catherine Watson (EnCana Corporation); Francois Blouin
(Operation Grassland Community, Alberta Fish and Game Association); Nic DeGama-Blanchet
(Nature Conservancy of Canada); Reg Russell (AESRD).
ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is a small owl (20 cm long) that breeds in the
open prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and winters in the southern U.S. and Mexico. The
geographic range of the burrowing owl is shrinking. The burrowing owl is listed as Endangered
in both Canada and in Alberta. In Alberta, burrowing owl populations have shown a steep and
continuing decline; recently the population has appeared stable however at record low numbers.
A number of factors may have contributed to the burrowing owl’s decline: habitat loss and
modification; low productivity; mortality on the breeding, migration, or wintering grounds; and
human disturbance.
The recovery goal is to increase the population of the burrowing owl in Alberta to viable,
naturally self-sustaining levels, with the species well distributed throughout its range--a longterm goal of 950 pairs is identified. To help accomplish this goal, three short-term objectives
have been identified: 1) to increase the burrowing owl population in Alberta to 400-600 pairs by
2017; 2) to stabilize distribution at the current range of burrowing owls in Alberta, eventually
restoring distribution to earlier (1993) levels over the long-term (i.e. 20 years); and 3) to
maintain, increase, and enhance habitat for burrowing owls in Alberta.
The range of the burrowing owl in Alberta is influenced by the distribution of suitable habitat.
Land uses such as cultivation, industrial development, urban/rural residential development,
encroachment of trees and shrubs, and disruption of predator-prey communities are all threats to
the species in Alberta. Alberta’s economic expansion makes it unlikely that the presently
reduced range can be materially increased in the near-term. Therefore the recommended
approach for the near-term is to concentrate maintenance and recovery initiatives within the
range occupied in 2009. Nonetheless, opportunities for grassland restoration to improve
burrowing owl habitat in adjoining areas should also be pursued over the longer-term (out to the
1993 range limit).
Strategies for the recovery of burrowing owl populations in Alberta must focus on the identified
threats to the species, its prey, and habitats. Therefore, the strategies to recover the burrowing
owl are: 1) management of burrowing owl habitat; 2) optimize survival of burrowing owls; 3)
public education and awareness; 4) population monitoring; 5) research; and 6) identification of
available resources. Detailed action items corresponding to each identified strategy were
developed for 2012-2017, and are presented here.
iii
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Provincial Status
In June 2006, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development designated
the status listing of the burrowing owl as Endangered under the Alberta Wildlife Act, following a
review of the species status and a recommendation by the Alberta Endangered Species
Conservation Committee. The designation of Endangered was based on a reduction in
provincial distribution, small population size (approximately 200-400 pairs), a population
reduction of at least 50% in the preceding 10 years - including a 40% reduction in the preceding
five years, and population declines in much of its western range in North America. The
Endangered designation constituted an uplisting from the former status of Threatened. The
Initial Conservation Action Statement (ICAS), approved by the Minister, directed adoption of
recommended actions and funding in the approved (2005) provincial recovery plan and directed
that additional resources be secured to support cooperative recovery actions over the next five
years (i.e. until 2010). The ICAS also urged the strengthening of government land use
management systems for Crown land and government regulated activities, to ensure no loss of
nests as a result of managed activities (e.g., industrial, agricultural, or recreational). Finally, the
ICAS stressed the importance of voluntary conservation measures and cooperative management
strategies on private land.
1.2 Recovery Team
At the direction of the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, the
Alberta Burrowing Owl Recovery Team was initiated (2001) by the Director of Wildlife
Management. Led by AESRD, the team included a member-at-large, and representatives from
Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Alberta Environment and
Sustainable Resource Development, Environment Canada, Conoco Phillips Canada Resources
Corporation, Eastern Irrigation District, Cenovus Energy Inc., Grasslands Naturalists, Nature
Conservancy of Canada, and Special Areas Board. The team was responsible for writing the
provincial recovery plan and completed that task in 2005. While the implementation of recovery
actions was led by AESRD, team members and their associated organizations participated in
some recovery initiatives. This five year recovery plan update was prepared by the Sustainable
Resource Development species lead in consultation with species experts, including some former
recovery team members.
1.3 Guiding Principles
A core set of principles was developed for burrowing owl recovery, including:
 The effective involvement of all concerned Albertans is essential to ensure that the
burrowing owl is not extirpated as a result of human activities. It may take a very large,
collective will to determine the effects of human developments on burrowing owls, and to
develop and encourage positive problem-solving strategies and approaches. Basic lifestyle
choices of humans do impact species at risk, unless developmental effects are mitigated.
Nonetheless, needless impacts on humans must be avoided, as well. The recovery planning
process sought the appropriate balance.
1






Governments have a lead role to play in facilitating the recovery of burrowing owls.
However, the success of recovery efforts depends, as always, on the knowledge and
commitment of organizations and individuals that own manage and use the land, namely
landholders and resource users.
Conservation and recovery programs for burrowing owls will be founded on voluntary,
cooperative efforts with cost-sharing on an equitable basis whenever possible. Incentives
that encourage and support protection of species at risk are encouraged.
Some degree of scientific uncertainty always occurs and this should not delay measures or
actions to achieve conservation or recovery of burrowing owl populations.
The historical and ongoing stewardship efforts of landholders in maintaining habitats for
burrowing owls are both acknowledged and appreciated.
There is demonstrable value in strengthening relationships between the land stewards and
others who have an interest in maintaining or enhancing habitats for burrowing owls.
Individual stakeholder groups should not be unduly impacted by costs associated with
maintaining or enhancing burrowing owl habitat, or other recovery efforts.
2.0 BURROWING OWL BIOLOGY
2.1 Range, Distribution, and Population Trends of the Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owls found in Canada are the western subspecies, Athene cunicularia hypugaea.
Approximately 4% of the range of the western burrowing owl is located in Canada; the majority
of range occurs in the United States (Wellicome and Holroyd 2001). The burrowing owl is also
listed as an Endangered species at the national level. In Canada, the owl is generally found in
Alberta and Saskatchewan, where its breeding range has been shrinking (Figure 1). It is
considered rare in Manitoba, with limited occurrences. In British Columbia the species is limited
though sporadic re-occurrence is stemming from re-introduction programs. Such status
designations and trends for the owl are symptoms of larger environmental problems in the
grasslands of North America.
Canadian burrowing owls are migratory. While relatively little is known about where these birds
over-winter, some Canadian owls are known to have spent the winter months in southern Texas
and the central regions of Mexico in the past 10 years (Holroyd et al. 2010). It is recognized that
Alberta populations of burrowing owls are impacted by mortality factors and habitat influences
on migration and wintering areas outside of Alberta. Approaches to deal with those broader
concerns and influences are included in the proposed national recovery strategy (Environment
Canada 2010).
Burrowing owls occur in the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta. The northern and western
peripheries of the species’ range are known to have contracted over the past 35 years. In 2004,
burrowing owls could be found primarily in the area spanning north from the Montana border to
the vicinities of Hanna and Youngstown, and west from the Saskatchewan border to the
vicinities of Coutts, Warner, Coaldale and Drumheller; excluding the Cypress Hills (Figure 1). It
is recognized that burrowing owl distribution is not continuous throughout the area just
described; unoccupied areas have yet to be delineated at a finer scale.
2
In Alberta, data show steep population declines. The number of known breeding pairs reported
by participating Operation Grassland Community landholders declined from 243 pairs in 1991 to
24 pairs in 2001 and 2002; and have remained low ranging from 35 to 57 pairs between 2003 and
2010 (Susan Skinner pers. comm.). Near Hanna, very steep population declines were also
observed—about 90% over 6 years [1991-1997; from 33 down to 2 or 3 nests per 100 km2
(Shyry et al. 2001; Kissner and Skiftun 2004)]. Near Brooks, low-density populations were
recorded (about 10-14 nests per 100 km2) and shown to be somewhat more stable initially, but
numbers declined by 86% during 1997-2007 (Russell 2002; Stevens and Todd 2008).
Figure 1. Distribution of the burrowing owl in Canada in the 1970s, 1993, and 2004. Distribution is not
continuous throughout the range indicated in 2004. The 1993 distribution is selected as the benchmark for
range restoration.
2.2 Natural History Characteristics and Habitat Requirements
Alberta’s burrowing owls return from their wintering areas in April and May. Since they nest in
abandoned burrows, they are highly dependent on the fossorial (digging or burrowing) mammals
that create these burrows. Nest chambers and burrows are lined with dried, shredded manure,
and the male provides food to the female during courtship and throughout the incubation and
brooding period (Wellicome and Haug 1995).
3
Clutch sizes range from six to 14 eggs, averaging nine (Wellicome 2000; Todd and Skilnick
2002). Young are altricial (immobile, eyes closed, dependent on parents for feeding) and will
often die from starvation and cannibalism during natural food shortage often resulting from
excessive rain. Fledglings begin using nearby (satellite) burrows at about 25 days of age and are
capable of sustained flight at 50 days old. They become independent of the adults between 60
and 70 days of age (Wellicome and Haug 1995).
In southern Alberta, the average home range for adult males is about 3 km2 (Sissons 2003),
though this varies considerably among individuals. Within this area, burrowing owls usually
have a matrix of several habitat types in order to meet their nesting and foraging requirements.
They require an open area with an adequate nest burrow surrounded by short vegetation, and
with some taller vegetation (e.g., 30-60 cm) or alternative prey cover within their foraging home
range to supply a sufficient diversity and amount of small mammals and other prey. Burrowing
owls require habitats in two broad categories: nesting/roosting, and foraging.
2.2.1 Nesting and Roosting Habitat
Three basic characteristics of nesting habitat for burrowing owls are available nest burrows, short
(<10 cm) or sparse vegetation, and open terrain (Zarn 1974), typically in Alberta these occur in
grasslands (Clayton and Schmutz 1999). Enlarged ground squirrel (Spermophilis sp.) burrows,
badger (Taxidea taxus) excavations, and occasionally abandoned fox (Vulpes spp.) and coyote
(Canis latrans) dens are used for nesting (as well as for roosting and caching food). Studies have
begun to elucidate the characteristics of successful nesting habitats. James et al. (1991) found
burrowing owls preferred areas that were grazed and with higher burrow availability. Warnock
and Skeel (2001) observed successful nests to have more clusters of ground squirrel and badger
holes nearby, as well as more riparian habitat within 2 km, more grassland habitat within 2 km,
fewer single trees nearby, lesser lengths of visible fences, fewer perches for larger owls
(potential predators), and greater distances to farmyards. Recent, large scale studies by Stevens
et al. (2010) have emphasized the importance of flat, low areas; low grassland edge densities;
moderate grassland patch size and moderate amounts of wetland habitats. Burrowing owls use
burrows for roosting, in addition to nesting. Adult and juvenile owls use non-nesting (satellite)
burrows, which likely optimizes survival.
Nests sites have been studied throughout the Canadian range and limited relationships have been
found between habitat metrics and use and reproductive success (Environment Canada 2010).
Owls have been studied nesting in areas of large connected grasslands and in areas dominated by
cultivation, however reproduction has been shown to be similar between the vastly different
habitats (Franken and Wellicome 2003; Sissons 2003; Poulin et al. 2005). These findings suggest
that simple habitat relationships, such as the proportion of grasslands within a region, are not
predictors of suitable burrowing owl habitat. Soil types and climatic conditions (long-term
averages of spring temperature and precipitation) seem to more important than land-cover types.
However further study is required for a variety of climatic and human disturbance factors to
determine the over all success of burrowing owl productivity within native grasslands vs. nonnative habitats.
4
2.2.2 Foraging Habitat
During the day, foraging is confined to the vicinity of the nest burrow (Gleason 1978; Haug and
Oliphant 1990). Burrowing owls hunt almost exclusively for insects during the day, while small
mammals (which comprise the majority of the biomass intake) are primarily captured at night,
further from the nest (Haug and Oliphant 1990; Plumpton 1992; Todd et al. 2003). Foraging
over uncultivated areas and roadside habitats has been recorded for adults (Haug and Oliphant
1990). Because small mammals prefer such areas, it was thought likely that the owls were
foraging in areas with higher abundance of microtine (small mammal) prey. It is possible,
though, that both prey vulnerability and capture success decline in areas of high, dense cover
(Alan Marsh pers. comm.).
3.0 POPULATION THREATS AND LIMITING FACTORS
There are a number of factors that may contribute to the downward trend in burrowing owl
populations in Alberta. Threats and limiting factors that affect the owls are categorized as habitat
loss and modification, mortality of mature birds on the breeding grounds, low productivity, and
mortality on migration or wintering grounds, as well as human disturbance and industrial
development. Mortality on migration and wintering grounds is not covered in this document, but
indications are that such losses may be substantial (Environment Canada 2009).
3.1 Habitat Loss and Modification
Over the past century, the cumulative effects of intensive agriculture, urban sprawl, oil and gas
developments, road building, irrigation, and other human land uses have contributed to the loss,
fragmentation and degradation of more than two-thirds of the native prairie in Alberta (Canadian
Prairie Partners in Flight 2004). It is not known what effect this has had on burrowing owl
populations, as numbers of owls and their declines appear to be somewhat similar in Alberta and
Saskatchewan despite large differences between these two provinces in terms of habitat change
over this century.
There is a positive relationship between burrowing owls and ranching on native grassland; the
burrowing owl requires short grass as a component of its nesting and foraging areas, so it
frequently resides in grazed grasslands (Wedgwood 1978, Hjertaas et al. 1995, Clayton 1997).
The conversion of pastureland to cultivation (introduction of tall monoculture vegetation) may
negatively impact populations of burrowing owls. In addition, fragmentation of habitat may
cause the communities or populations of predators to change, and numbers of key prey species to
decrease. The loss of grassland habitat also reduces suitable habitat for fossorial mammals,
which the burrowing owls depend on to create burrows for nesting. Ground squirrel population
control could also adversely impact burrowing owls by reducing or eliminating quality nesting
sites (burrows) and roosts over time.
The suitability of habitat for burrowing owls is affected by climate, weather, and grazing
intensity. Drought and grazing intensity may have acted in concert to reduce suitability of some
foraging habitats for burrowing owls in Alberta (Rangelands Conservation Service 2004).
5
3.2 Mortality of Mature Birds on Breeding Grounds
Predation has been shown to be the major cause of adult mortality (largely by avian predators,
and by badgers on females), followed by starvation/disease, and vehicular collisions
(ASRD and ACA 2005; Environment Canada 2010). Because burrowing owls nest below
ground, they are vulnerable to both avian and ground predators. Ground predators that enter nest
burrows (and prey on adult females, as well as eggs and nestlings) include badgers, foxes, striped
skunks, weasels, raccoons, snakes, and domestic cats (Sleno 2000). Predators above ground
include coyotes, domestic dogs and cats, Swainson’s hawks, great horned owls, ferruginous
hawks, northern harriers, short-eared owls and prairie falcons (Wellicome and Haug 1995,
Clayton and Schmutz 1999). Additions to the prairie landscape such as fences, utility poles,
hedgerows, trees, and artificial nests for hawks within the last century have enhanced habitat
quality for some large raptors (Schmutz et al. 1984), but may contribute to increased predation
on burrowing owls.
Collisions with vehicles and fences have been identified as causes of mortality (Wellicome
1997a, Todd 2001a). The increase in road networks across burrowing owl nesting, migration
and wintering ranges, combined with the owls’ use of roadside ditches as alternative foraging
habitat, represent significant changes in the landscape that may be contributing to increased
mortality due to collisions with vehicles (K. De Smet pers. comm.). Although not documented,
it is also very conceivable that some owls are accidentally lost to shooting (i.e., mistaken for
ground squirrels [Hjertaas et al. 1995]).
3.3 Low Productivity
Low productivity could be caused by low breeding rates (proportion of pairs breeding), high
rates of nest failure (i.e., nesting attempted but no young produced following nest desertion,
flooding, predation of eggs, or unviable embryos), or high mortality of young following
hatching. Environmental factors contributing to deterioration of these demographic parameters
include habitat degradation, pesticides, declines in prey populations, disturbance, predation,
cannibalism, accidents, shooting, weather, parasites, and diseases.
Predators are the primary cause of post-fledging mortality (Shyry and Todd 2000, Todd 2001a).
Collisions with vehicles and fences are the second greatest cause of juvenile mortality (Shyry
and Todd 2000).
Pesticides are used in the province to control insects and burrowing mammal populations.
Although the use of these chemicals is not intended to impact burrowing owls, indirect effects
through ingesting poisoned rodents and insects can be serious. For example, James et al. (1990)
observed that owls in pastures treated with strychnine-coated grain weighed less than owls in
control pastures. The insecticide Carbofuran, which currently has restrictions on its use (and an
Alberta advisory in place), is known to have detrimental effects on burrowing owls through
increased adult mortality and lower reproductive performance (James and Fox 1987).
6
Prey populations may have been variously affected (both positively and negatively) over past
decades by programs to control rodent and insect populations, by cattle grazing, and through
cultivation of grasslands. Healthy prey populations are critical for the reproductive success of
burrowing owls, as evidenced by Wellicome (1997b, 2000), who noted that artificially increasing
food levels for nestlings increased the number of young fledged; nonetheless, the significant
increase in productivity was not enough to reverse the local population decline.
3.4 Human Disturbance, Industrial Development
Disturbance may cause failure of burrowing owl nests, through nest site abandonment impacts on
productivity and fledging success. The effects of disturbance are known to vary with the timing,
nature, regularity, intensity and duration of disturbance, as well as factors such as individual
differences among animals and habituation to the disturbance. Human disturbance such as
industrial development also contributes to other identified threats including vehicle collisions,
impacts on nest productivity, and habitat loss and modification (Shyry and Todd 2000, Canadian
Prairie Partners in Flight 2004, K. De Smet pers. comm.).
4.0 CRITICAL HABITAT
Critical Habitat is a legal designation under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), and is defined
as
“the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is
identified as the species Critical Habitat in the recovery strategy or action plan for the species”
(Species at Risk Act 2002 s. 2).
The National Recovery Strategy partially described Critical Habitat for Burrowing Owl in 2010
and Environment Canada posted a description on the SARA Registry (Environment Canada
2010). None of the areas described within the National Recovery Strategy occur within the
province of Alberta. The National Recovery Strategy does provide a “Schedule of Studies” to
identify additional Critical Habitat, with a target date of 2014 for the identification of additional
Critical Habitat for the burrowing owl (Environment Canada 2010). The provincial recovery
plan does not designate critical habitat, but the provincial government departments will be
influenced by the designation and have a responsibility to provide effective protection of critical
habitat through appropriate land and habitat management.
The National Burrowing Owl Recovery Team must specify activities that may result in
destruction of Critical Habitat. However, due to the Natural Resource Transfers Act,
jurisdiction and management responsibilities for the burrowing owl on all privately owned
land or provincially owned crown land in Alberta remains with the Government of
Alberta. This shared responsibility requires close federal-provincial collaboration. Absence
of providing effective protection of the Critical Habitat (to prevent destruction) within
Alberta could lead to pressure to enact a safety net clause in SARA. This could lead to the
federal government assuming a stronger Critical Habitat protection role.
7
5.0 KNOWLEDGE GAPS
Further understanding of the factors responsible for burrowing owl declines is needed.
Knowledge gaps include a general lack of understanding of what happens to the very large
proportions of Alberta birds (juveniles, adults) that do not return annually, or how emigration
from other jurisdictions impacts the Alberta population. Further knowledge gaps are identified
in the following sections of this recovery plan.
6.0 RECENT RECOVERY AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Recovery Plan for Burrowing Owl in Alberta 2005-2010 outlined recovery strategies and
actions necessary for the recovery and conservation of burrowing owls in Alberta. Progress
occurred on many recovery actions outlined in the plan, with the exception of the placement of
Protective Notations on nest sites. Key initiatives included:
 Involvement of AESRD in numerous reviews of industrial developments around
burrowing owl breeding sites;
 A Beneficial Management Practice (BMPs) document developed by MULTISAR
(Rangelands Conservation Services 2004; Downey et al. 2007) was reviewed and
adopted for the entire range of burrowing owls in Alberta;
 Completion of Habitat Conservation Strategies and Species at Risk Conservation Plans
(300,000 acres combined) for burrowing owls based on the developed BMPs on selected
landholder properties (Operation Grassland Community and MULTISAR stewardship
programs);
 Completion of various habitat improvement projects on selected landholder properties
based on the BMPs (e.g., Operation Grassland Community, MULTISAR);
 Various presentations to technical and non-technical audiences on the management of
burrowing owls;
 Preparation and distribution of landowner information packages (e.g., MULTISAR’s At
Home on the Range and Burrowing Animals BMPs);
 Completion of several breeding surveys on selected areas at periodic intervals;
 A multi-year project to determine large-scale habitat selection of burrowing owls was
completed as a precursor to identification of Critical Habitat throughout burrowing owl
range in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada (Stevens at al. 2010; Stevens et al. 2011);
 Habitat Suitability Indices were developed through the MULTISAR project and are being
used as an indirect means of determining where burrowing owls should be and might be;
these indices are made available through the AESRD website;
 Data sharing, including pre-development survey information from industry;
 A multi-partner, 4-year project to evaluate the effects of energy-sector development on
burrowing owls in both Alberta and Saskatchewan continued into 2011. The project is
determining and comparing burrowing owl activities, activity patterns and habitat use in
disturbed and undisturbed areas and is contributing to the objective evaluation of
management measures such as setback distances and timing constraints, as well as
advancing the understanding of cumulative effects of grassland developments on the
burrowing owl.
8
These accomplishments have significantly enhanced knowledge of burrowing owls, including
their habitat selection and use, and responses to anthropogenic development. It is not clear that
the short-term recovery objectives in the 2005 plan have been met. It is arguable whether the
population decline has been halted. Firstly, the annual index of burrowing owl abundance from
cooperating landholders in the Operation Grassland Community program indicates that owl
numbers stabilized (albeit at very low levels), then increased slightly. However, existing
technical information from local trend blocks directly surveyed in the Brooks area indicated a
continuing decline during 2004 to 2007 (60% reduction in the burrowing owl population).
Secondly, while the documented range contraction appears to have stabilized, there is not yet any
concrete indication that it has begun to reverse. Finally, although quantitative data are lacking, it
seems likely that burrowing owl habitat has continued to decline, in both quantity and quality,
evidenced by the fact that no new habitat has been added at the provincial scale. Habitat quantity
and quality have likely continued to decrease, and improvements to habitat quality have occurred
on a limited basis at specific sites.
The Recovery Plan for Burrowing Owl in Alberta 2005-2010 has been adapted to identify
continued recovery actions for the burrowing owl in this update plan. This plan addresses the
fiscal years 2012/13-2016/17. There was a 2 year over-run on the initial plan resulting from
retirement of the provincial species lead and delay in designating a new provincial lead.
7.0 RECOVERY STRATEGY
7.1 Biological and Technical Feasibility
There is potential for the recovery of the Alberta population of burrowing owls. While
proximate and ultimate causes of burrowing owl declines are not conclusively known, the
declines are probably caused by a number of contributing factors. That uncertainty may hamper
the achievement of recovery goals in the near-term. This recovery plan identifies some nearterm priorities and actions that may help reverse trends over the longer term.
Within Alberta, maintaining and restoring habitat suitability and quality will be part of the
approach to achieve recovery. Further refinement and effective implementation of beneficial
management practices and land-use standards and guidelines (considering cumulative effects)
and habitat restoration are integral actions. Other productive approaches will include furthering
understanding of habitat requirements and risks to habitats, mitigating risks, stewardship
programs, and management measures to improve survival and productivity of burrowing owls.
7.2 Recovery Goal
The provincial recovery goal is to increase the population of the burrowing owl in Alberta to
viable, naturally self-sustaining levels, with the species well-distributed throughout its range
(refer to Figure 1). The long-term numerical goal for the burrowing owl population in Alberta is
950 pairs by 2032. The Alberta burrowing owl population should be part of a continuous
population that extends into Saskatchewan and Montana. Attainment of that long-term
9
numerical goal would restore the Alberta population to the approximate level estimated in the
early 1990s.
7.3 Short-term Recovery Objectives

To increase the burrowing owl population in Alberta to 400-600 pairs by 2017 (from 200-400
pairs in 2005 (ASRD and ACA 2005).

To stabilize distribution at the current range of burrowing owls in Alberta, eventually
restoring distribution to earlier (1993) levels within 20 years.

To maintain, increase and enhance suitable habitat for burrowing owls in Alberta.
7.4 Strategies for Recovery
Strategies for recovery of burrowing owl populations in Alberta must focus on the identified
threats to the species, its prey, and habitats. Therefore, the strategies for recovering the
burrowing owl are as follows:
Habitat Management and Protection: all actions related to maintaining and conserving habitat
for burrowing owls. This includes refining BMPs and encouraging stewardship to enhance the
quality of burrowing owl habitat and increase burrowing owl densities; encouraging the use of
BMPs, setbacks, and timing restrictions with industrial developers and municipalities; and
continuing to develop and encourage the implementation of policies and programs that retain or
increase the amount of burrowing owl habitat.
Population Conservation and Management: all actions related to increasing the survival and
productivity of burrowing owls. This includes actions to reduce predation rates, human-caused
mortality and other source of mortality for burrowing owls, and actions to optimize productivity
of burrowing owls.
Population Monitoring: actions related to monitoring populations of burrowing owls, such as
refining current monitoring techniques to gain a better understanding of the current population in
Alberta, and developing and implementing a systematic monitoring system for burrowing owls.
Information and Outreach: actions to increase support for burrowing owl through public
education and awareness programs.
Research: all actions related to the scientific collection and reporting of data to better inform
management decisions and recovery actions for burrowing owls in Alberta.
Resourcing: actions needed to acquire funding and other resources to deliver identified actions.
Plan Management and Administration: all activities related to the operation of the Alberta
Burrowing Owl Recovery Team and implementation of the recovery plan.
10
8.0 ACTION PLAN
8.1 Habitat Management and Protection
1. Stewardship: AESRD will work cooperatively with non-government organizations to
promote habitat conservation programs in support of private landholders. Specifically,
they will:
a) Encourage participation in programs focused on the conservation of burrowing owls
(e.g., OGC, MULTISAR).
b) Advise landholders of programs such as those offered by the Nature Conservancy of
Canada, and others who can hold easements [e.g., Ducks Unlimited (Canada), Alberta
Conservation Association, Alberta Fish and Game Association (Operation Grassland
Community), Southern Alberta Land Trust Society].
c) Provide input and support to on-farm planning initiatives, to ensure burrowing owl
habitat needs are incorporated.
d) Implement BMPs developed for burrowing owls (Rangelands Conservation Services
2004) through existing stewardship programs. Update these BMPs as new
information becomes available.
e) Develop incentives to encourage landholders and others to conserve burrowing owls
and their habitats.
f) Examine (and modify as necessary) agricultural support programs to ensure that they
conserve burrowing owls and other prairie wildlife and their habitats, and that they
encourage the restoration of marginal cropland to pasture. By doing so, they will
balance the needs of burrowing owls with sound range management and the needs of
landowners and other wildlife.
2. Implementation of Beneficial Management Practices: AESRD and other government
agencies (provincial and federal), non-government organizations, landholders and
stakeholders will work together to further refine and implement BMPs for the burrowing
owl. Specifically, they will:
a) Continue relevant research to further determine/refine BMPs.
b) Determine the impact of these practices on other species and on landholders.
c) Support range health assessment projects and protocols related to burrowing owl
habitat.
d) Continue/implement habitat stewardship programs (e.g. OGC, MULTISAR).
e) Maintain grasslands for multi-use needs.
f) Encourage the continued use of construction/development practices that minimize
impacts on grasslands.
3. Management of Fossorial Mammals: AESRD and non-government organizations will
encourage land managers to maintain management systems that sustain availability of
fossorial mammal burrows for burrowing owls. More specifically, they will:
a) Implement range management practices that ensure heterogeneous grass cover in
foraging areas.
11
b) Deliver an education program that encourages a mosaic of grassland habitat types
(e.g. variable grazing pressures and grass heights).
4. Manage Control of Fossorial Mammals: AESRD will encourage regulations and
policies which manage trapping, poisoning, and hunting in a way that local populations
of fossorial mammals are not eradicated. AESRD will work with non-government
organizations and landholders to determine what level of acceptance landowners have for
fossorial mammals and develop a strategy to alleviate these issues.
5. Grassland Retention Policy: Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource
Development will establish a native grassland retention policy for public lands.
6. Enhance Habitat Quality: AESRD and non-government agencies (private land) will
increase the area and enhance the quality of burrowing owl habitat through increasing
habitat patch sizes and reducing habitat fragmentation. The following techniques will be
used:
a) Ensure reclamation is done through natural recovery or an appropriate seed mix
that is similar to the surrounding grass community.
b) Where appropriate and where opportunities exist, use land exchanges to
consolidate public lands for multiple benefits, including providing burrowing owl
habitat.
c) Reduce the effects of habitat degradation on burrowing owls and other prairie
species through habitat enhancement programs.
d) Encourage the continued use of construction practices that minimize disturbance
to grassland, such as minimizing surface access, conserving top soil, and others.
7. Minimize Impacts of Industrial Development: AESRD and industrial developers will
limit the potential negative impact of industrial activities on burrowing owls and their
associated habitat. This will be achieved in the following ways:
a) In areas that are potential burrowing owl habitat, or where there are existing
burrowing owl nests on public land, ensure that the approval standards outlined in the
Enhanced Approval Process Integrated Standards and Guidelines including predevelopment surveys, application of setbacks and implementation of timing
restrictions, are implemented by developers (Government of Alberta 2010)
b) Encourage use of existing guidelines and standards, which recommend predevelopment surveys, buffer zones, setbacks and times for industrial activities near
burrowing owl sites on private land (Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division 2010).
c) Actively work towards establishment of appropriate pre-development processes for
all types of industrial activities on public and private lands.
d) Continue research to further refine the standards and guidelines and expand them to
other industrial activities, including measurements of ambient sound. Further assess
effectiveness of guidelines and standards.
e) Encourage the refinement/development and use of BMPs and codes of practice
(develop in cooperation with industries, organizations that represent industries,
landowners, and government regulators, such as the Energy Resources Conservation
Board).
12
f) Inform landowners and landholders of the BMPs and codes of practice, and
encourage their use on both private and public land.
8. Minimize Impacts of Municipal Development: AESRD will work cooperatively with
local municipalities and counties to develop policy and conservation solutions to reduce
conflicts stemming from burrowing owls nesting near airports, on roads, on construction
sites, or in other developed areas. They will:
a) Identify locations and activities of concern.
b) Develop and implement guidelines and/or regulations to minimize disturbance of
nesting areas (including auditory disturbance) to avoid nest site abandonment,
vandalism, or nest failure.
c) Respond to individual occurrences when contacted by municipalities.
9. Integrated Management Planning: AESRD will provide burrowing owl conservation
input in to land management planning processes. Specifically, they will:
a) Provide input in to developments on private land.
b) Provide input in to developments on public land through the standards set out in
the Enhanced Approval Process (Government of Alberta 2010).
c) Ensure consideration of burrowing owls is integrated in to land management
frameworks, such as the Landuse Framework (LUF).
10. Coordination between Levels of Government: AESRD in cooperation with
Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service), and other government agencies, will
develop programs to manage burrowing owl habitat on land controlled by all levels of
government. Collaboration with public land management agencies (e.g., Lands Division)
will ensure maintenance of prime burrowing owl habitat through a variety of
arrangements, including conservation and protective notations, timing constraints, and
other mitigation measures.
8.2 Population Conservation and Management
1. Reduce Avian Predation: AESRD and non-government organizations will investigate the
extent of mortality from nesting raptors. In areas where it is of concern, AESRD, nongovernment, industry and landholders organizations will implement BMPs to reduce
mortality arising from avian predation including:
a) Discourage the planting of trees on native grassland where trees were historically
absent.
b) Investigate any potential or perceived conflicts with installed raptor nesting platforms
at specific sites within active burrowing owl territories.
c) Encourage appropriate perch-proofing of power lines to discourage perch use by large
raptors near burrowing owl nests.
d) Encourage the use of underground power lines in high use burrowing owl habitats.
13
2. Reduce Mortality Related to Collisions: AESRD and industrial developers will undertake
efforts to reduce mortality arising from collisions with vehicles and human structures through
the implementation of BMPs, signage, and regulations.
a) Implement industrial traffic control measures (speed, volume, and timing) in
association with development activities.
b) Investigate techniques to reduce burrowing owl mortality from fences, pipeline
trenches and other human structures.
c) Implement BMPs for use of agriculture equipment in and around nesting burrowing
owls.
d) Consider other mitigation measures, as required.
3. Limit Negative Impacts of Pesticides: Encourage agriculture agencies to develop and
implement programs to mitigate and control the negative effects of pesticides on burrowing
owls.
a) Educate and promote awareness on the effects of pesticides, including a fact sheet to
be provided with strychnine (used for ground squirrel control), which warns about the
dangers to burrowing owls and other sensitive wildlife.
b) Encourage methods of controlling pest species without spraying, including
mechanical and possibly biological controls.
c) Provide information to landholders and managers to encourage pest control that is not
detrimental to burrowing owls.
8.3 Population Monitoring
1. Systematic Monitoring: AESRD will develop and implement a long-term systematic
monitoring approach for burrowing owls in Alberta, using the trend blocks from in the
Brooks (Kininvie) area and the Hanna area wherever possible. Data should be collected
in a manner such that both population estimates and trend monitoring can be derived.
2. Public Reporting and Data Management: AESRD and non-government organizations
will continue to promote public reporting systems to identify occupied sites throughout
the burrowing owls range [e.g., Operation Grassland Community (OGC) and Fisheries
and Wildlife Management System (FWMIS) database).
3. Refine Database: Operation Grassland Community, AESRD, and Environment Canada
will further develop/refine and maintain a database(s) of annual population reports from
burrowing owl nest sites to monitor annual population and distribution changes.
4. Monitor Productivity: Researchers, non-government agencies, and Environment
Canada will continue to record productivity in specific nesting areas and develop a
consistent method to do so. This will ensure results are comparable between years and
among study areas.
14
8.4 Information and Outreach
1. Public Education Opportunities: AESRD and non-government organizations will
increase general public awareness of grassland conservation, the burrowing owl, and
related prairie conservation issues, through existing programs. Methods may include:
a. Utilizing or developing literature and other media materials to target landowners,
industry and other audiences.
b. Coordinating education programs on burrowing owls that target a variety of
audiences.
2. Landholder Awareness: Non-government organizations and stewardship groups will
make direct contact with landholders to explain the status of burrowing owls, BMPs, and
potential mitigation measures (including pest-control alternatives).
3. Policy Makers: AESRD will present and discuss habitat issues with land-use policy
makers including the LUF Secretariat, LUF Regional Advisory Committees (e.g., Red
Deer River Advisory Committee) and government officials.
4. Educational Materials: Non-government organizations, AESRD, and the Lands
Division will collaborate to develop a wildlife education manual that looks at agricultural
practices and their effects on endangered wildlife. The manual will encourage
conservation of native rangeland and farming techniques that reduce negative impacts on
burrowing owls and other species at risk.
5. Incentives: Non-government agencies and existing stewardship programs will inform
landholders about existing incentive programs and conservation partnerships available to
help conserve burrowing owls.
6. Informing and Educating Government Staff: AESRD will inform land management,
wildlife, and enforcement personnel about the burrowing owl, its status, the provincial
recovery plan, and necessary procedures to conserve the owl and its habitat.
8.5 Research
1. AESRD Environment Canada, non-government organizations and Universities will work
together to complete the following research:
a. Beneficial Management Practices: Conduct research on different management
techniques to improve habitat for burrowing owls and their prey and to increase
owl densities (see also Rangelands Conservation Services 2004).
b. Climate Change: Support climate change studies. Climate change in Alberta
may affect burrowing owl habitat and potential mitigation measures must be
investigated.
c. Fossorial Mammals: Encourage study of the relationships between burrowing
owls and fossorial mammals.
15
d. Prey Management: Increased food supply after hatching can increase
productivity in burrowing owls; however, little information exists on how to
increase prey populations through land practices. Research is needed to determine
habitat management techniques that would increase food supply and accessibility
of prey, and hence have a positive effect on productivity and survival. Related
research would:
i. Study prey populations to determine how they change over space and
time.
ii. Manage habitat to maximize prey densities near burrowing owl nests.
e. Mortality: Conduct local investigations to monitor causes and changes in adult
mortality rates on the breeding grounds. Although extensive work has been
completed recently on mortality in juvenile burrowing owls, knowledge of adult
mortality is still incomplete.
f. Breeding Success and Failure: Determine which characteristics of habitats
around nest sites correlate with breeding success/failure (nest longevity and
monitoring, production). While a handful of studies have looked at nesting site
characteristics, further investigation will refine knowledge at multiple
environmental scales, and will include measures of ambient sound.
g. Population Demographics: Further study on demographic features of burrowing
owl populations is required:
i. Investigate recruitment (productivity and sources of mortality).
ii. Investigate dispersal. Recent analyses of band recoveries show that 40%
of banded adults, but only 6% of banded juveniles, are known to return to
breed. It is not known whether the remaining owls die or disperse.
8.6 Resourcing
1. Funding: Government agencies, non-government organizations and researchers will
annually approach government, non-government organizations, universities, and private
companies/individuals to participate in or fund burrowing owl recovery initiatives.
8.7 Plan Management and Administration
1. Coordinate Research Effort: All research activities will need to be properly permitted
and coordinated to maximize benefits from research and minimize disturbance to the
population.
2. Communication with other Levels of Government: The Alberta Burrowing Owl
Recovery Team lead will communicate with other federal and provincial colleagues
within the range of the burrowing owl, to ensure recovery actions for burrowing owl
complement, whenever possible, recovery of other provincially or federally listed species
at risk.
16
3. Data Submission: All survey data will be entered in to the Fish and Wildlife
Management Information System (FWMIS).
4. Review and Update of Recovery Plans: Every five years the Alberta Burrowing Owl
Recovery Team lead will review and update the recovery plan. The lead may request
assistance from species experts, including former recovery team members, as needed.
The essence of the original plan will be carried through to recovery plan updates. Due to
tight time requirements, and the need to have valid recovery plans at all times, a recovery
team will not be reconvened for a plan update.
17
9.0 IMPLEMENTATION TABLE
Implementation summary for priority recovery actions in the action plan, including lead roles, recommended timing, and estimated
total direct costs. Identified costs includes the total cost of the action/year for the Government of Alberta and for outside agencies
including but not limited to; the Government of Canada, grant funds, non-government organizations, private companies, and
individuals.
Actions by Year
Lead 1
Action
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Estimated
Government of
Alberta (GOA)
Cost/Year2
Estimated
Non-GOA
Cost/Year 2
8.1.1. Stewardship
FWD, MULTISAR,
OGC, and other
NGOs
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
and
evaluate
$50,000
$100,000
8.1.2 Implementation of
Beneficial Management
Practices
FWD, MULTISAR,
OGC
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing &
evaluate
BMPs
Ongoing
Ongoing
$50,000
$100,000
8.1.3 Management of
fossorial mammals
8.1.4 Manage control of
fossorial mammals
8.1.5 Grassland
retention policy
8.1.6 Enhance habitat
quality
FWD, LD, NGOs
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$20,000
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$20,000
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
FWD, LD, NGOs
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
and
evaluate
Update and
implement
based on
evaluation
$50,000
$200,000
8.1.7 Minimize impacts
of industrial development
FWD and LD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
In kind
1
Lead agencies will be responsible for coordination and facilitation of recovery actions but may or may not be responsible for funding (depending on the action
and agency). CWS = Canadian Wildlife Service; FWD = Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development; LD = Lands Division, Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development; NGOs = Non-government organizations; OGC = Operation Grassland Community;
2
This column identifies the estimated cost/ year/action; however it does not identify which agency or which government department is responsible for funding
the required cost. The term in kind refers to in kind contribution identified agencies through existing programs and staff.
18
Actions by Year
Action
Lead
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Estimated
Government of
Alberta (GOA)
Cost/Year
Estimated
Non-GOA
Cost/Year
8.1.8 Minimize impacts
of Municipal
developments
8.1.9 Integrated
management and
planning
8.1.10 Coordination
between levels of
Government
8.2.1 Reduce avian
predation
FWD, Municipalities
and Counties
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$20,000
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Evaluate
Action as
required
Action as
required
In kind
$20,000
FWD, CWS,
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
In kind
Develop
BMPs
Implement
Implement
In kind
$50,000
8.2.2 Reduce mortality
related to collisions
8.2.3 Limit negative
impacts of pesticides
8.3.1 Systematic
monitoring
8.3.2 Public reporting
and data management
8.3.3 Refine database
8.3.4 Monitor
productivity
8.4.1 Public education
opportunities
8.4.2 Landholder
awareness
8.4.3 Policy makers
8.4.4 Education
materials
8.4.5 Incentives
FWD, LD, industrial
developers
FWD, agricultural
agencies, NGOs
FWD
Implement
Implement
evaluate
In kind
$10,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
Unknown
Develop
Develop
Implement
Evaluate
In kind
FWD, OGC
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
$50,000 (survey
year) + In kind
In kind
$25,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Implement
Ongoing
Evaluate
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
In kind
$10,000
$50,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$20,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$30,000
FWD
NGOs, FWD, LD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
In kind
$10,000
NGOs and
stewardship
programs
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$50,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
8.4.6 Government staff
FWD, LD,
FWD, OGC, CWS
CWS, researchers,
NGOs
FWD, APLD, and
NGOs
NGOs
Develop
BMPS
Ongoing
Ongoing
Identify
areas of
need
Implement
19
Actions by Year
Action
8.5.1 Research
8.6.1 Funding
8.7.1 Coordinate
research efforts
8.7.2 Communication
with other recovery
teams
8.7.4 Reporting
8.7.5 Data Submission
8.7.3 Review and update
of recovery plan
Lead
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2016-2017
Estimated
Government of
Alberta (GOA)
Cost/Year
Estimated
Non-GOA
Cost/Year
Researchers and
Universities
All
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
$100,000
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
In kind
In kind
FWD
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
In kind
FWD
Action as
required
Ongoing
Action as
required
Ongoing
Action as
required
Ongoing
Action as
required
Ongoing
Review
Action as
required
Ongoing
Update and
submit
In kind
All
FWD
Estimated Totals
20
In kind
In kind
In kind
~$200,000 + in
kind
~$835,000+
inkind
10.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
The principles identified in Section 1.3 of this Plan will guide recovery actions for burrowing
owls. A number of sectors may be affected by actions recommended within the Recovery Plan,
including agriculture (farming and ranching), other industry (oil and gas, mining, municipal
development), recreation, and natural capital. A brief treatment of each of these four sectors
follows.
Agriculture
The agricultural community may benefit through stabilization of the grazing resource. Ranching
operations may benefit through public recognition of the need for a mosaic of range conditions
that tends to be a part of a well-managed livestock holding. Public support for traditional
ranching (as being environmentally compatible) is anticipated to increase.
There may be some adjustments to traditional grazing practices where deferred rotations are
identified through development of BMPs. It is conceivable, for example, that fencing or water
development may be recommended to manage livestock movement in or near burrowing owl
habitat at certain times of the year.
Oil and Gas and other Development Industries
Increased recognition and support is anticipated for those developers/operators that demonstrate
responsible conservation practices by accepting constraints that benefit the needs of burrowing
owls and other species. Some cost adjustments may be incurred by industry when planning or
implementing developments to accommodate the needs of species at risk.
Recreation
Recreational opportunities may be generally enhanced by stewardship efforts of landholders that
offer an unparalleled grassland recreation experience. Increased recreation and eco-tourism can
bring sustainable revenue to the local community. That helps stabilize both regional services and
the economy. Increased recreation can enhance relationships between visitors and local residents
and result in mutually beneficial understanding, acceptance and respect.
Landowners and occupants may feel obligated to monitor the actions of visitors more closely to
ensure that habitats, wildlife or livestock are neither damaged nor disturbed. Land stewards may
feel additional responsibilities as gatekeepers of the natural landscape.
Natural Capital
The landscape will benefit through maintenance or enhancement of native habitats, biodiversity,
and the production of biomass. This will help reduce the potential for desertification of the
grasslands region, which often occurs through cultivation, overgrazing, or industrial
development. Society may further choose to actively reduce the fragmentation of the landscape
by supporting programs and policies that minimize the intrusive nature of commercial/industrial
development and the infrastructure of roads to support it.
21
Recovery planning and implementation has the positive potential to increase awareness of the
needs of species at risk, and associated habitat considerations. This can be shared by a broad
population spectrum (e.g., both provincially and locally).
11.0 MULTIPLE SPECIES AT RISK AND RELATED RECOVERY STRATEGIES
The Grassland Natural Region (GNR) of Alberta includes the entire Alberta population of
burrowing owls. The GNR contains the highest number of species at risk of any natural region in
the province (ASRD 2005). Because of the large number of species at risk that have overlapping
habitat needs within this natural region, there is potential for various recovery actions identified
in the individual species recovery plans to be in conflict with each other. Efforts should be made
by all species recovery team leads to inform other potentially impacted species recovery team
leads of intended recovery actions to prevent conflicts and to facilitate collaboration. As of
September 2011 there were seven species at risk recovery plans whose actions had the potential
to conflict with burrowing owl recovery actions:







Ferruginous hawk
Northern leopard frog
Ord’s kangaroo rat
Greater sage-grouse
Soapweed and yucca moth
Swift fox
Western spiderwort
The majority of the recovery actions included in each of these plans are compatible with the
recovery actions identified for burrowing owl. These include conservation of native prairie
habitats, invasive species control or elimination, development of BMPs for various land users,
and use of standards/guidelines or BMPs for industrial developments. Based on the Burrowing
owl Recovery Team Chair's review of the above species recovery plans and associated actions,
potential for conflicting recovery actions with other existing plans is limited.
To avoid conflict at any point of the burrowing owl recovery process, programs that consider
multiple species at risk rather than individual species (e.g. MULTISAR, OGC) should be the
main delivery agents for recovery plan actions. A multiple species program can examine the land
base as a whole and achieve a balance between the habitat needs and recovery actions for each of
the listed species. Agencies delivering recovery actions for burrowing owl will consider all
impacts to other species at risk before implementing the recovery actions. This is of particular
importance in areas where the Critical Habitat of more that one species overlaps.
22
12.0 PLAN REVIEW, AMENDMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION
This recovery plan will be implemented for a five-year period, and reviewed annually during that
period. The Alberta species lead for burrowing owl will facilitate and monitor implementation
of the action plan and work with others to determine effectiveness of recovery actions. A short
annual summary will be submitted to the Section Head of Non-game/Species at Risk/Wildlife
Disease. Recovery plans are considered “living” documents and amendments may be made
between the five year updates, but this would be unusual. At the end of five years, the Alberta
species lead for burrowing owl will review the plan and determine whether amendments are
required, and complete any amendments and a new implementation table in a new five-year
update.
23
13.0 LITERATURE CITED
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division. 2010. Recommended landuse guidelines for protection of
selected wildlife species and habitat within the Grassland and Parkland Natural Regions.
(online)http://srd.alberta.ca/ManagingPrograms/FishWildlifeManagement/WildlifeLandU
seGuidelines/documents/WildlifeLandUse-SpeciesHabitatGrasslandParkland-Oct312010.pdf. Accessed March 20th 2011.
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) and Alberta Conservation Association
(ACA). 2005. Status of the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) in Alberta: Update
2005. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Wildlife Status Report No. 11
(Update 2005), Edmonton, AB. 28 pp.
Canadian Prairie Partners in Flight. 2004. Landbird conservation plan for Prairie Pothole Bird
Conservation Region 11 in Canada. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada,
Prairie and Northern Region, Edmonton, AB. 136 pp.
Clayton, K. M. 1997. Post-fledging ecology of burrowing owls in Alberta and Saskatchewan:
dispersal, survival, habitat use, and diet. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK. 66 pp.
Clayton, K. M., and J. K. Schmutz. 1999. Is the decline of Burrowing Owls (Speotyto
cunicularia) in prairie Canada linked to changes in Great Plains ecosystems? Bird
Conservation International 9:163-185.
Downey, B.A, R.W. Quinlan, P.F. Jones, and R. Ehlert. 2007. MULITSAR: A Multi-species
Conservation Strategy for Species at Risk 2006-2007 Report. Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report, No.
114, Edmonton, AB. 21pp.
Environment Canada. 2009. Petroleum industry activity guidelines for wildlife species at risk in
the Prairie and Northern Region. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada,
Prairie and Northern Region, Edmonton, Alberta. 64 pp.
Environment Canada. 2010. Recovery Strategy for the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in
Canada [Revised proposed version]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series.
Environment Canada, Ottawa. viii + 33 pp.
Franken, R.J., and T.I. Wellicome. 2003. Burrowing Owl demographics workshop summary
report (March 20−21, Canmore, Alberta). Canadian Wildlife Servivce. unpubl. report. 28
pp.
Gleason, R. S. 1978. Aspects of the breeding biology of burrowing owls in southeastern Idaho.
M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow. 47 pp.
24
Government of Alberta. 2010. Upstream Oil and Gas Approval Standards for the Enhanced
Approval Process. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (online)
http://srd.alberta.ca/ManagingPrograms/EnhancedApprovalProcess/documents/EAPUpOilGasApprovalStandards-Dec2010.pdf. May 30th, 2011
Haug, E., and L. W. Oliphant. 1990. Movements, activity patterns, and habitat use of burrowing
owls in Saskatchewan. Journal of Wildlife Management 54:27-35.
Hjertaas, D. G., S. Brechtel, K. De Smet, O. Dyer, E. A. Haug, G. Holroyd, P. C. James, and J.
K. Schmutz. 1995. National recovery plan for the burrowing owl. A report prepared for
the Committee for the Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife. Canadian Wildlife
Federation, Ottawa. ON. 33 pp.
Holroyd, G.L, H.E. Trefry, and J.M. Duxbury. 2010. Winter Destinations and Habitats for
Canadian Burrowing Owls. Journal Of Raptor Research. 44(4). Pp 294-299
James, P. C., and G. A. Fox. 1987. Effects of some insecticides on productivity of burrowing
owls. Blue Jay 45:65-71.
James, P. C., G. A. Fox, and T. J. Ethier. 1990. Is the operational use of strychnine to control
ground squirrels detrimental to burrowing owls? Journal of Raptor Research 24:120-123.
James, P. C., T. J. Ethier, G. A. Fox, and M. Todd. 1991. New aspects of burrowing owl
biology. Pp 226-227 in: Proceedings of the second endangered species and prairie
conservation workshop (Holroyd, G.L., G. Burns, and H.C. Smith, eds.) Natural History
Occasional Paper No. 15. Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Kissner, K., and C. Skiftun. 2004. Burrowing owl trend block report (Hanna Blocks).
Appendix 1 in: Habitat Stewardship for Species at Risk in Special Areas 2, 3 and 4 and
Southeastern Alberta: Year 2 Progress Report (C. Skiftun, K. Kissner, P. Jones and A.
Todd). Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Calgary.
Unpublished report. 12 pp. + 8 pp. appendix.
Plumpton, D. L. 1992. Aspects of nest site selection and habitat use by burrowing owls at the
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado. M.Sc. Thesis, Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, Texas.
65 pp.
Poulin, Ray G; D.L Todd, K. M Dohms, R. M Brigham, and T. I Wellicome. 2005. Factors
associated with nest- and roost-burrow selection by burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia)
on the Canadian prairies. Canadian Journal of Zoology; 83(10): 1373-1380; October
2005, 8p.
Rangelands Conservation Services. 2004. Beneficial management practices for the Milk River
Basin, Alberta: A component of the Multi-species Conservation Strategy for Species at
Risk in the Milk River Basin (Multisar). Unpublished rept. prep. For Alberta Sustainable
25
Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, and Alberta Conservation
Association. Rangeland Conservation Service Ltd., Airdrie, AB. 369pp.
Russell, R. F. 2002. 2002 Burrowing owl trend block survey and monitoring, Brooks area.
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species
at Risk Report No. 58, Edmonton, AB. 10 pp.
Schmutz, J. K., R. W. Fyfe, D. A. Moore, and A. R. Smith. 1984. Artificial nests for
Ferruginous and Swainson's Hawks. Journal of Wildlife Management 48:1009-1013.
Shyry, D., and L. D. Todd. 2000. Juvenile burrowing owl demographics and movements: a
summary of productivity, recruitment, post-fledging mortality, and dispersal in the
Saskatchewan and Alberta populations. Unpublished report for The Endangered Species
Recovery Fund. 15 pp.
Shyry, D. T., T. I. Wellicome, J. K. Schmutz, G. L. Erickson, D. L. Scobie, R. F. Russell, and R.
G. Martin. 2001. Burrowing owl population-trend surveys in southern Alberta: 19912000. Journal of Raptor Research 35:310-315.
Sissons, R. A. 2003. Food and habitat selection of male Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia)
on southern Alberta grasslands. M.Sc. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. 92 pp.
Sleno, J. 2000. Possible cat predation on burrowing owls. Blue Jay 58(4):191-192.
Stevens, S. D., and A. W. Todd. 2008. Burrowing owl population trends on the Kininvie Blocks
from 1993-2007, and ancillary data for additional species at risk in 2007. Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk
Report No. 116, Edmonton, AB. 12 pp.
Stevens, A. F. J., E. M. Bayne and T. I. Wellicome. 2010. A habitat suitability model burrowing
owls (Athene cunicularia) in Alberta: Methods and applications. Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No.
130. Edmonton, AB. 15 pp.
Stevens, A.F.J, E.M. Bayne, and T.I. Wellicome. 2011. Soil and climate are better than biotic
land cover for predicting home-range habitat selection by endangered burrowing owls
across the Canadian Prairies. Biological Conservation, In Press.
Todd, D. 2001a. Survival and dispersal of juvenile burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) during
the post-fledging, pre-migratory period. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. of Regina, SK. 76 pp.
Todd, L. D. and J. Skilnick. 2002. Large clutch size of a burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia,
found in Saskatchewan. Canadian Field-Naturalist 116:307-308.
Todd, L.D., R.G. Poulin, T.I. Wellicome, and R.M. Brigham. 2003. Post-fledging survival of
burrowing owls in Saskatchewan. Journal of Wildlife Management 67: 512-519.
26
Warnock, R. G., and M. A. Skeel. 2001. Habitat features important to burrowing owl (Speotyto
cunicularia) breeding success in Saskatchewan. Report to Environment Canada,
Edmonton, AB and Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, Regina, SK.
Nature Saskatchewan, Regina, SK. 17pp.
Wedgwood, J. A. 1978. The status of the burrowing owl in Canada. Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. 83 pp.
Wellicome, T. I. 1997a. Status of the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea) in
Alberta. Alberta Environmental Protection, Wildlife Management Division, Wildlife
Status Report No. 11, Edmonton, AB. 21 pp.
Wellicome, T. I. 1997b. Reproductive performance of burrowing owls (Speotyto cunicuolaria):
effects of supplemental food. Journal of Raptor Research Report 9:68-73.
Wellicome, T. I. 2000. Effects of food on reproduction in Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia)
during three stages of the breeding season. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton,
AB. 113 pp.
Wellicome, T. I., and E. A. Haug. 1995. Second update of status report on the burrowing owl
Speotyto cunicularia in Canada. Report prepared for the Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa, ON. 32 pp.
Wellicome, T. I., and G. L. Holroyd. 2001. The second international burrowing owl
symposium: background and context. Journal of Raptor Research 35: 269-273.
Zarn, M. 1974. Burrowing owl, report no. 11. Habitat management service for unique or
endangered species, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
Denver, Colorado. 25 pp.
Personal Communications 3
Alan Marsh, M.Sc. Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, 2010.
Ken De Smet, Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife & Ecosystem Protection Branch, Manitoba
Conservation, 2010.
Susan Skinner, Program Coordinator, Operation Grassland Community, 2010.
3
Personal communications between Arlen Todd, Troy Wellicome, Dave Scobie, Joel Nicholson or Brandy Downey
in the development of this plan.
27