Training to be an Owl Monitor

Audubon Western Everglades' Owl Watch 2025 team training was hosted at Mackle Park on Marco Island. It is our ninth season and we had a total of 100 volunteers sign up to monitor the owls and help with conservation efforts. As AWE's wildlife biologist, I look forward to continuing our research on this protected species and working with the community to lessen the threats they are facing. One of the largest threats currently is rat poison. With our pilot program using a rat fertility feed under Wisdom Good Works at Mackle Park showing great success, we are hopeful that this product should be available to the public within a couple of months. Wisdom Good Works is working hard on both the research we are currently gathering data on and a direction toward mass production. Any homeowner would be able to use this product themselves or provide it to a pest control company to maintain. We will be approaching condos, hotels, restaurants, and all businesses. Please remember when using alternatives such as snap traps and detour gel to always keep them contained to protect other animals. NEVER use glue traps as they can cause suffering to all species.  

How else can you help protect the owls? Spread the word to provide plenty of space to ensure they can focus on watching out for predators and raising their young. Limit disturbance near roadways as they can become frightened and take off quickly. These owls fly very low. Slow down when driving, especially at night when they do most of their hunting, and keep your eyes on the road. If you spot an injured owl, deceased owl, damage to a burrow, vehicles too close to a burrow, or any other concerns, email us at owlwatchmarco@gmail.com. Photographers can report banded owls to us with the address they were spotted. Please do not enter private property when viewing owls or post private addresses with owl chicks online, as this can cause mass disturbance to one specific site leading the owls to abandon their home. 

Marco Island hosts the second-largest population of burrowing owls in the state of Florida. Habitat loss is impacting the survival of this species. If you are interested in providing a starter burrow in your front yard as replacement habitat, email us directly! Under the Safe Harbor Program created under AWE, FWC, and the City of Marco Island, homeowners can have the start of a burrow dug in their yard. If an owl digs 18 inches, the City will pay you $250. Starter burrows can be removed for free under this agreement and under a legal FWC permit at any time as long as there is no nesting activity currently going on. We are lucky to have this incredible species in our area. Please politely educate any visitors about how they can help keep them safe!