Expert: Roger Lederer - 2/21/2007

Question
Hi!
On my parent's property, next to a pasture full of horses, there is about ten feet of broken off piping, about 8 inches around, and half filled with dirt.  For a long time we have been seeing at least two smallish owls in the area, and recently discovered that they live in the pipe.  We have found small animal skeletions (im guessing mice) and feathers around that site, and seen the owls emerge from that area.  I have done a lot of research and determined that they are burrowing owls, an endangered species (i think).  We plan to plow up that field to plant grass for our horses, although it would not directly hit the pipe.  This could be put off indefinately if necessary.  Is there a time of year when the disturbance would be best? like when theres no chicks? if thats based on where i live, im west of pheonix, az.  THey dont seem to mind ppl, i have little conversations with them sometimes (from a distance, of course).  

Answer
I suspect you are correct about them being Burrowing Owls. They are considered endangered in Canada and a bird of concern in the U.S. Best time to do your plowing is winter-December- February. Thanks a lot for your concern - wish there were more folks like you. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com