Ground Owl Day question: Will Athene see her shadow?
DAN CARNEY
A fun and quirky Cape Coral tradition takes place this early next week, as the city’s official bird will again serve as the prognosticator of weather to come.
The burrowing owl takes center stage as the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department host the sixth annual “Ground Owl Day” on Monday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Pelican Baseball Complex, in what is the city’s take on Groundhog Day.
Will the city’s official bird see its shadow? Only time will tell if the protected species will signal six more weeks of “winter” in Southwest Florida, though Mother Nature sure has brought the chill recently.
“CCFW truly looks forward to this event every year,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch. “It coincides with the start of nesting season when we begin to see adorable burrowing owl chicks emerging from their burrows under the watchful eyes of their parents. It’s such a heartwarming and exciting time of year, and it also gives us a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of conservation efforts for burrowing owls and other fragile species.”
Fox 4 reporter Bella Line will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which will feature a special appearance from the burrowing owl mascot, Athene. Community members are invited to join in the excitement to see if Athene will see her shadow and signal the coming of spring. Local leaders and wildlife enthusiasts also will be in attendance to show their support for the conservation of these unique birds.
“This event is incredibly fun because Cape Coral has its own special ground-nesting animal, making it a clever and uniquely local twist on Groundhog Day,” Windisch said. “Kids especially love the experience — getting their photo taken with Athene, the burrowing owl mascot, is always a highlight.”
Windisch added that Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter plans to attend and read the proclamation officially declaring Feb. 2 as Ground Owl Day in Cape Coral.
CCFW officials state Pelican Baseball Complex is very much the apropos place to hold this event.
“CCFW chooses the Pelican Baseball Complex for Ground Owl Day because it is home to many active burrowing owl burrows,” Windisch said. “Visitors are very likely to catch a glimpse of real burrowing owls during the event. It’s a great spot for photography-just remember to stay at least 10 feet away from any burrow to ensure the owls’ safety.
“CCFW would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Cape Coral Parks and Recreation, along with its dedicated employees, for co-sponsoring Ground Owl Day and the Burrowing Owl Festival. This long-standing collaboration is invaluable and plays an important role in benefiting both our community and local wildlife.”
Other than being a fun way to celebrate the burrowing owl and be an event precursor to the annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Ground Owl Day is a way to become educated on the importance of the burrowing owl, how to preserve their population and the ecotourism dollars they bring to the city. CCFW also be debuting the 2026 Ground Owl Day T-shirts, making this a fun and memorable event for all ages.
“Ground Owl Day always takes place a few weeks ahead of the Burrowing Owl Festival, Wildlife and Environmental Expo,” Windisch said. “It helps generate excitement and public awareness for the festival, the proceeds of which are used to acquire and protect wildlife habitat in Cape Coral.”
The Burrowing Owl Festival will be held this year on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rotary Park in Cape Coral.
CCFW has roughly 500 volunteer members, who put in a collective 10,000 hours last year. Volunteers mark burrows and report the location to the city. They trim vegetation around burrows, as does the city. CCFW also helps maintain purple martins and gopher tortoises.
CCFW has a sister organization, the CCFW Wildlife Trust, which purchases and acquires land to be held in perpetuity as a wildlife habitat.
“Burrowing owls are a threatened species in Florida, primarily due to habitat loss,” Windisch said. “Secondary threats include poisoning from rodenticides and automobile strikes. Events like Ground Owl Day help educate residents, foster appreciation for these unique birds, and reinforce the importance of coexistence and conservation in a growing community.”
For more information on CCFW, starter burrows, and the upcoming Burrowing Owl Festival, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.
Pelican Baseball Complex is at 4128 Pelican Blvd. The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is at 325 Southwest 2nd Ave. Donations are always welcome.
For more information, visit www.capecoralanimalshelter.com.