Professional burrowing owl surveys, permitting, mitigation, and compliance support for Florida development projects.
Burrowing Owl Services
Learn more about our individual Burrowing Owl services:
Burrowing Owl Surveys, Permitting, and Mitigation Support in Florida
Florida burrowing owls can affect clearing, grading, construction, site planning, and development timelines when owls or burrows occur within or near a proposed work area. The Florida burrowing owl is classified by FWC as a State Threatened species, and FWC states that taking, possessing, or selling burrowing owls, their nests/burrows, or eggs is prohibited without a permit. Burrowing owls, eggs, young, and active nests are also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Bear Environmental Consulting provides professional burrowing owl services for property owners, developers, builders, contractors, engineers, planners, and project teams throughout Florida. Our services help identify potential burrowing owl concerns, support project planning, and assist with permitting or mitigation needs when burrowing owls or burrows may be affected.
Burrowing Owl Services We Provide
Burrowing Owl Surveys
Burrowing owl surveys are used to determine whether burrowing owls, burrows, or suitable habitat may be present within or near a project area. Surveys are commonly needed before clearing, grading, construction, site development, or permit review when open, sandy, sparsely vegetated habitat is present.
A survey may include pedestrian review of suitable habitat, observation for owls or owl sign, burrow identification, burrow mapping, representative site photographs, and a written summary of findings.
Best for: property owners, developers, builders, contractors, and project teams who need to determine whether burrowing owls or burrows may affect proposed work.
Burrowing Owl Permitting & Mitigation
If burrowing owl burrows are located within or near areas proposed for impact, permitting, avoidance, mitigation, or other project-specific measures may be needed before work proceeds. FWC notes that burrowing owl incidental take permits often involve scoping and excavating burrowing owl burrows, and that permittees or their designated agents must meet minimum qualifications to scope or excavate a burrow as part of an incidental take permit.
Bear Environmental Consulting can assist with permit strategy, agency coordination support, burrow evaluation, mitigation planning, documentation, and project-team communication.
Best for: projects where burrowing owls or burrows have already been observed within or near proposed clearing, construction, grading, access, or staging areas.
Why Burrowing Owl Review Matters
Burrowing owl concerns can create delays when they are discovered late in the planning or construction process. Because burrowing owls use underground burrows for shelter and nesting, impacts to burrows may require careful review and authorization before construction activities proceed.
Burrowing owl review can help answer questions such as:
Are burrowing owls or burrows present on the property?
Is suitable burrowing owl habitat present within the proposed work area?
Are burrows active, potentially occupied, or inactive?
Could clearing, grading, or construction affect owls, eggs, young, or burrows?
Is avoidance possible?
Is permitting or mitigation likely to be needed?
Are construction buffers, timing restrictions, or monitoring recommended?
What steps should the project team take before work begins?
Early review helps property owners and project teams understand potential constraints before they become urgent construction issues.
Common Situations Where Burrowing Owl Services Are Needed
Burrowing owl services are commonly requested for:
Vacant land development
Residential construction
Commercial development
Subdivision planning
Agricultural or pasture conversion
Roadway, driveway, or access improvements
Utility installation
Solar or infrastructure projects
County or municipal permit review
Projects in open sandy or sparsely vegetated areas
Sites where burrows or owls are discovered during planning or construction
If you are unsure whether burrowing owl requirements may apply to your project, an initial survey or consultation can help determine the appropriate next step.
Burrowing Owl Habitat in Florida
Burrowing owls are often associated with open areas with short vegetation and well-drained soils. FWC notes that burrowing owls can be found in open areas with short vegetation and that they use burrows, typically 5 to 10 feet long, for nesting and shelter.
Suitable or commonly used areas may include:
Open fields
Pastures
Vacant lots
Airports
Golf courses
Agricultural areas
Mowed or sparsely vegetated uplands
Disturbed open areas
Urban or suburban open spaces
Because burrows may be small, partially hidden, or located in disturbed landscapes, a professional field review can help identify potential concerns before work begins.
Our Approach
Bear Environmental Consulting focuses on clear, practical guidance for burrowing owl projects. We understand that many clients are unfamiliar with protected species requirements and may only discover a concern after a county, builder, agency, or contractor raises the issue.
Our goal is to help you understand:
What was observed on the property
Whether burrowing owls or their burrows are present
Whether additional survey work may be needed
Whether avoidance, permitting, or mitigation may be required
What documentation may be useful for the project team
How burrowing owl concerns may affect construction timing or site planning
We provide straightforward recommendations so property owners and project teams can make informed decisions.
What You May Receive
Depending on the requested service, deliverables may include:
Burrowing owl survey report or summary
Burrow location map
Site photographs
GIS-based exhibits
Summary of observed owls, burrows, or signs
Habitat observations
Permit strategy and next-step guidance
Mitigation or avoidance recommendations
Agency coordination support
Construction-phase recommendations
Environmental monitoring recommendations, where applicable
The specific deliverables depend on the project stage, survey results, site conditions, and permitting needs.
Related Services
Burrowing owl projects often overlap with other environmental services. Depending on site conditions and project goals, Bear Environmental Consulting may also assist with:
Need Help With Burrowing Owls on Your Property?
Contact Bear Environmental Consulting to discuss your property, project plans, and timeline. We can help determine whether a burrowing owl survey, permitting assistance, mitigation planning, or another service may be the right fit.