NEST DESTRUCTION ASSOCIATED WITH MORTALITY AND DISPERSAL OF BURROWING OWLS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

摘要

We documented the effects of inadvertent nest destruction from road maintenance activities on the survivorship, reproductive success, and breeding dispersal of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) breeding in natural burrows along the water delivery system in the Imperial Valley of California. The activities affected 4 nests (7 adult owls) along an 800-m section of road, filling in or destroying all of the burrows. Three of 7 adult owls in the impacted area were killed, 2 of 2 active nests failed, 2 nests that had previously failed were destroyed and might have led to the dispersal of the surviving adults. We suggest that artificial burrows will reduce the conflict between maintenance and burrowing owl nests, which will benefit both owls and landowners.