Burrowing Owl Conservation: Artificial Burrows and Golf Courses Matthew Denman Smith Courtney J. Conway Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Golf Courses in the United States Effects on environment Effects on environment 17,000 courses 17,000 courses Cover 8,000 km 2 Cover 8,000 km 2

New Golf Course Construction Average of 296 per year Average of 296 per year Consideration of wildlife needs Consideration of wildlife needs

Can golf courses aid burrowing owl populations?

Owls and Golf Courses Owls are often found on golf courses Owls are often found on golf courses May provide additional nesting opportunities May provide additional nesting opportunities

Range Contraction Wellicome, TI & GL Holyroyd J of Rapt Res. 35:

Natural Burrows Obligate secondary-cavity nesters Obligate secondary-cavity nesters Abandoned burrows of Abandoned burrows of fossorial mammals fossorial mammals

Declining Numbers of Suitable Burrows Eradication Loss of Habitat

Artificial Burrows Mimic natural burrows Mimic natural burrows Offset loss of natural burrows Offset loss of natural burrows

Burrow Construction

Objectives and Methods Examine efficacy of artificial burrows on golf courses in eastern Washington Examine efficacy of artificial burrows on golf courses in eastern Washington Comparison of different burrow types Comparison of different burrow types

1) Natural burrows off golf courses off golf courses 2) Natural burrows on golf courses on golf courses 3) Artificial burrows off golf courses off golf courses 4) Artificial burrows on golf courses on golf courses n = 166 n = 85 n = 14 n = 130

Golf Course Study Burrows Placement of burrows varied to examine landscape features that may affect occupancy and success Placement of burrows varied to examine landscape features that may affect occupancy and success Cart path Tree Nearest natural burrow Nearest artificial burrow Rough Fairway Tee box Green Sprinkler Maintained area

Determining Fecundity Twice weekly nest visits Twice weekly nest visits Infra-red probing of burrows Infra-red probing of burrows

Burrow Fidelity Trapping Banding

Results

Colonization Owls used artificial burrows on only 2 courses Owls used artificial burrows on only 2 courses

Artificial Burrow Use

Number of nests increased slightly 2nd year post-installation

Total number of adults increased slightly 2nd year post-installation

Percent of golf course birds using artificial burrows increased

Golf Course Landscape Features: occupied vs. unoccupied burrows

Occupied burrows were further from maintained areas n = 8n = 57 t = df = 63 P = 0.05

Occupied burrows were further from sprinklers t = 1.40 df = 126 P = 0.10 n = 8 n = 120

Occupied burrows were closer to natural burrows t = df = 58 P = 0.02 n = 8 n = 52

Success of Different Burrow Types Damon Hearne©

Artificial course burrows were used as often as artificial burrows off courses n = 16 n = 26

Nests in artificial burrows were as successful as other burrow types n = 83n = 10n = 7n = 4

No difference in fecundity between burrow types F = 1.41 P = 0.25 n = 4n = 7n = 10n = 83

Burrow Fidelity

Golf course burrows had higher site fidelity then burrows off courses  2 = 5.0 df = 1 P = n = 36 n = 6

Conclusions Increase # of occupied artificial burrows on golf courses after installation. Increase # of occupied artificial burrows on golf courses after installation. Occupancy of artificial burrows on golf courses = occupancy of artificial burrows off golf courses. Occupancy of artificial burrows on golf courses = occupancy of artificial burrows off golf courses. High nesting success for artificial burrows on golf courses. High nesting success for artificial burrows on golf courses. Return rates of owls using burrows on golf courses was higher than off golf courses. Return rates of owls using burrows on golf courses was higher than off golf courses.

Recommendations Golf courses should be evaluated for potential of burrow installation on a per course basis. Golf courses should be evaluated for potential of burrow installation on a per course basis. Install burrows in non-maintained areas, 35m away from maintained areas, 40m away from sprinklers. Install burrows in non-maintained areas, 35m away from maintained areas, 40m away from sprinklers.

Potential Problems Changes in course design can reverse gains Changes in course design can reverse gains Artificial burrows need yearly maintenance Artificial burrows need yearly maintenance

Acknowledgments Horn Rapids Golf Course Horn Rapids Golf Course Sun Willows Golf Course Sun Willows Golf Course Meadow Springs Golf Course Meadow Springs Golf Course Canyon Lakes Golf Course Canyon Lakes Golf Course West Richland Golf Course West Richland Golf Course Buckskin Golf Course Buckskin Golf Course Moses Pointe Golf Course Moses Pointe Golf Course Columbia Point Golf Course Columbia Point Golf Course US Golf Association US Golf Association National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Fish and Wildlife Foundation US Geological Survey US Geological Survey Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The University of Arizona The University of Arizona Washington State University Washington State University Port-of-Pasco KVEW Golf Course News Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Charlotte Reep Don Larsen Heidi Brunkal Rebecca Chuck Chris Forristal Lisa Ellis Vicki Garcia Carol Yde Many field assistants