Burrowing Owl Fest returns Saturday

Feb 27, 2026 By CJ HADDAD 6 min read

A long-time tradition in the Cape paying homage and educating the public on Cape Coral’s official city bird returns this weekend.

The 24th annual Burrowing Owl Festival — Wildlife & Environmental Expo, put on by the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and the city Parks and Recreation Department, takes place this Saturday at Rotary Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attendees can expect fan favorites like Adam’s Animal Adventures, Children’s Corner, Tom Allen Butterfly House tours, silent auction, bus tours, vendors, crafts, and much more. 

“We are incredibly proud to bring the 24th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival – Wildlife and Conservation Expo to Cape Coral,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch. “Our volunteers have been working for months to make this year’s event better than ever. Nearly 40 organizations will present outstanding exhibits and our wildlife tours are always a highlight. The festival also features arts and crafts vendors, a silent auction and hands-on children’s activities.”

At just a $5 donation for adults (ages 12+), the festival an affordable day of fun and education for the whole family.

Event Highlights Include:

• Live Animals & Wildlife Encounters – Get up close with fascinating animals presented by Adam’s Animal Adventures, bringing engaging wildlife education to the festival.

• Local Wildlife Bus Tours – Ride along to see burrowing owls and other wildlife living right here in Cape Coral.

• Southwest Florida Birding Specialty Tour – A guided birding bus tour led by renowned local bird experts David and Tammy McQuade and Eary and Jennifer Warren. Advance ticket purchase required at ccfriendsofwildlife.org.

• Rotary Park Butterfly House Tours – Explore the park’s beautiful butterfly sanctuary.

• Wildlife & Conservation Expo – Meet representatives from 30+ local environmental and conservation organizations.

• Guest Speakers – Enjoy a series of presentations by wildlife and conservation experts covering topics relevant to Southwest Florida and beyond.

“There are so many fun, hands-on activities for kids,” Windisch said. “From interacting with wildlife at Adam’s Animal Adventures to face painting and arts and crafts, children will be fully engaged throughout the day. The activities are interactive and educational — proving that learning and fun truly go hand in hand.”

This year’s featured speaker schedule is as follows:

• 10:45 a.m. — Graham Dixon-MacCallum, conservation program manager, Wilder Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He will discuss “Little Owls on the Prairie: Western burrowing owls, and efforts to give burrowing owls a head start in Alberta, Canada”

Dixon-MacCallum’s presentation will include background on the western subspecies of burrowing owls, which are found throughout western North America, and the conservation issues those owls face. He will also talk about the work he does at the Wilder Institute, where biologists are working to boost the burrowing owl population in Alberta. Juvenile owls are taken into human care for their first winter and released as adults the following spring.

• Noon — Emma Engel, biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Assistance Program. Her topic is “How to Coexist with Coyotes.”

Engle will invite attendees to learn more about the natural history and daily lives of coyotes, and to appreciate that these often misunderstood animals aren’t nearly as fearsome as they’re sometimes portrayed.

• 1:30 p.m. — Beverly Saltonstall, Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife founding member and author of “Cape Coral Burrowing Owls Don’t Hoot.” Saltonstall will share her extensive knowledge of the behavior and habits of our local burrowing owls, along with some of her favorite stories about Cape Coral’s beloved little residents.

“Each speaker brings valuable expertise and practical information that residents can apply in their own communities,” Windisch said. 

Cape Coral is home to the largest known population of the Florida burrowing owl, which is a state designated threatened species according to Florida Fish and Wildlife. These pint-sized birds burrow underground where they nest from early February through mid-July. People come from all over the state, country, and globally to photograph the owls. 

Constant development in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country is impacting the habitats of these friendly birds. The festival is a perfect opportunity to get important information on why the species, and others, are vital to the city. 

“Education is at the heart of our festival,” Windisch said. “CCFW will showcase a full-size burrowing owl diorama and demonstrate how you can build a starter burrow for displaced owls. Nearly 40 environmental and wildlife organizations will be exhibiting, covering a wide range of fascinating topics. Guests can learn about the endangered smalltooth sawfish, manatees, purple martins that migrate from South America to nest locally, and much more. The Southwest Florida Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to view sunspots and Ding Darling will bring their Roving Ranger. Southwest Florida is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. This festival provides a wonderful opportunity not only to learn about these species, but also to recognize how fragile they are — and why conservation matters.”

While the event’s Southwest Florida Birding Speciality Tour with David and Tammy McQuade, and Eary and Jennifer Warren has sold out, there is still a chance to hop aboard the local Wildlife Bus Tour. 

Participants can ride along to see burrowing owls and other wildlife living in Cape Coral. These approximately one-hour tours, and offer an opportunity to observe owls in their natural habitat and learn from knowledgeable guides. Tickets may be purchased at the festival.

CCFW’s annual festival T-shirt featuring the winning photo from last year’s burrowing owl photo contest will be available along with other CCFW merchandise.

“Residents look forward to the shirts and owl-themed merchandise each year,” Windisch said.

CCFW’s online auction is also running now through March 1, with hundreds of items up for bid.  Organizers said this is an excellent opportunity to support CCFW’s mission for those that can’t attend the festival in person. Visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org or ww.biddingforgood.com/CCFW to check out the items and bid. 

“Most importantly, every dollar raised at the festival goes directly toward CCFW’s mission to preserve and protect wildlife and habitat in Cape Coral, to educate the community about our local species, and, with special emphasis, to acquire and safeguard land for wildlife habitat,” Windisch said.

In partnership with Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, CCFW has helped acquire 87 lots in Cape Coral, totaling nine acres of protected land thus far. Participation in the Burrowing Owl Festival helps support and continue these critical conservation efforts.

For more information on the festival, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org or call 239-980-259.

Rotary Park is at 5505 Rose Garden Road.

To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com