In the fourth of our five-part Edge Of Extinction video series, we meet the only owl that nests underground — the super-cute, but threatened burrowing owl.
Burrowing owls
Rare burrowing owl found dead in West Berkeley park
This dead owl was found Sunday in a Berkeley park. Photo: Urban Bird Foundation A rare burrowing owl was found dead recently at Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez Park, raising some concern in the community. Local resident Heidi Sachs saw the dead bird on a bench during her run at the Berkeley Marina on Sunday and shared the […]
How I became a docent for burrowing owls. What a hoot!
Burrowing owl at Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez Park in February. Photo: Doug Donaldson Burrowing owl at Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez Park in February. Photo: Doug Donaldson By Rubi Abrams Newly retired from a fulfilling career as a community college librarian last year, I was ready to plunge into as many birding activities as I could schedule. Birding-related […]
Berkeley bans feeding of wildlife in parks, public spaces
After saying it would exterminate hundreds of squirrels in César Chávez Park, the City of Berkeley backtracked to focus on the main cause of the squirrel over-population: people feeding them. Photo: Doug Mosher After saying it would exterminate hundreds of squirrels in César Chávez Park, the City of Berkeley backtracked to focus on the main cause of […]
Climate change spells trouble for Berkeley birds
Burrowing Owl: one of the local species that has been identified as being in climate trouble. Photo: Doug Donaldson Burrowing Owl: one of the local species that has been identified as being in climate trouble. Photo: Doug Donaldson Some of Berkeley’s most common and beloved birds could face extinction within the next 70 years due to climate change, […]
Berkeley squirrels are safe from extermination — for now
A Western Burrowing Owl and a ground squirrel at César Chávez Park. Photo: Penelope Hillemann By April Rose Sommer Much to the relief of wildlife lovers, the Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday night to delay its pilot program to exterminate ground squirrels at César Chávez Park. The city had generated broad outcry earlier this year […]
Western burrowing owls are back on Berkeley Marina
Photo shared on Berkeleyside’s Flickr page, taken on Jan.1, 2014, by Alex Madonik The burrowing owls that make their home at César Chávez Park on the Berkeley Marina every year are back. Patrick Hickey, who works out in the pre-dawn hours most mornings at the park, says he has noticed a pair of the birds there for […]
Can’t get enough of them: Berkeley’s burrowing owls
A Western burrowing owl strikes a pose at the Berkeley Marina. Photo: Neil Mishalov We admit we are suckers for these adorable birds, so when regular Neil Mishalov sent us these two gorgeous pics, it didn’t take long to decide to share them with you, even though it was barely two weeks ago that we […]
Burrowing owls come out to preen at Berkeley Marina
A burrowing owl near the Tom Bates/Gilman sports fields in Berkeley on Saturday Feb. 9. Photo: Greg Merritt The Berkeley Marina’s much loved burrowing owls were out and about this weekend. Berkeleysider Greg Merritt caught this shot of one of them on Saturday afternoon. He said it was taken at the special fenced-off area near the Tom […]
Burrowing owls, and docents, return to Berkeley park
One of five burrowing owls that have been documented at Cesar Chavez Park. Photo: Doug Donaldson One of five burrowing owls that have been documented at Cesar Chavez Park. Photo: Doug Donaldson By Ilana DeBare Most people go to Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina to walk dogs, fly kites or stroll kids. Karen […]