Burrowing Owls at Antelope Island

Once I notice one pair of golden eyes glaring back at me, I see them throughout the grasslands here. How did I not know there are burrowing owls here!?! A lot of burrowing owls. I’ve explored Antelope Island State Park in Utah twice before.

Antelope Island State Park

Antelope Island is a small rise of land, 4 1/2 miles wide and 15 miles long, within the salt flats and receding waters of the Great Salt Lake. It’s dusty and barren, but more comfortable than the thermometer would suggest. A light breeze is keeping the mosquitoes and brine flies at bay. The native grassland and sagebrush habitat here is perfect for nesting burrowing owls. These owls at Antelope Island are migratory, wintering in Mexico and returning here to breed each summer for eons. They share this landscape with bison, pronghorn, coyotes, badgers, and countless other bird species.

The Owl’s Burrow

After getting distracted by horned larks (a first for me!), singing western meadowlarks, a suspicious chukar, and a photogenic lark sparrow, I turned up a short spur road.

Driving slowly, windows down, camera in my lap at the ready, I’m scanning the hills and boulders. I spot a lone owl atop a grassy mound – a dark, soda-can shape in an otherwise linear gold landscape. I slowed to a stop to look more closely through binoculars. This owl is off the right side of the road. I slowly drove past, causing him to scrunch down and hide in place. 

A second owl is closer to the road, resting at the large opening of an underground burrow. I continued past her without stopping. Still, she recedes into the safety of the burrow. Further away, I turned around to come back and position myself parked on the opposite side of the road where I’d be able to watch from the driver’s seat of the car. I drove slowly over the gravel road, hugging the shoulder to give them space. Once in position with a clear view of the burrow, I turn off the car. I don’t look back at the burrow for several minutes. I’m allowing them time to get comfortable with my presence. I’m just here, not paying any attention to them. I read my messages, checked in for my flight home, and otherwise busied myself with my back to the owls.

Burrowing Owl Monitoring

Hawk Watch International monitors twenty-four artificial burrows on the island out of concern that the weight of roaming bison were crushing the natural burrows. Burrowing owls don’t dig their own nest holes. They use abandoned dens of other animals, like badgers and prairie dogs. Each successful nest hatches two to twelve eggs. In 2023, Hawk Watch International banded 81 owlets from 63 burrows. Last year, they banded 192 owlets! 

Burrrowing owls, like many birds, pair-bond for life. They both incubate and care for the owlets, with the mother staying at the burrow and the father standing guard from further away.

The Owl Family

After some time passed, I turned back toward the burrow and gasped! Four owlets and their mother stood outside the burrow!

Typically, nestlings don’t appear above ground until mid-June. Imagine my surprise and delight to see four wide-eyed, downy-feathered youngsters on June 2nd!

They interact like all the other juvenile species I’ve been fortunate to observe – bear cubs, puppies, lion cubs, mice, people, kittens, and more. They all behave in the same ways.

They pick on each other, pulling at feathers, stealing “toys,” and chasing one another.

Their personalities are evident. The most assertive owlet ranges a bit further from the burrow, spending a lot of time hunting insects.

A couple of them test their mom’s patience, poking at her, pulling at her feathers, and grooming her. She’s stoic through it all.

I was here two evenings ago, and only one owlet was above ground. She is noticeably more confident today, no longer scurrying underground at every little rustle or movement. 

Today, she only ducked for cover once, but reappeared rather quickly. The other three are not as comfortable with their new above-ground world. They hunker down at the burrow edge, peering out at their sibling and mother, who didn’t even flinch at the supposed hazard.

Over the next hour, I watched this family live their lives. There are likely more owlets in the burrow who have yet to venture out. This nest had nine owlets that fledged last year. These kids will spend the next four weeks here learning about life, and then they’ll venture off on their own.

A Measured Approach Pays Off

A minivan with four photographers I’d seen earlier turns up the road toward me. I pull my camera in as much to protect it from the dust as conceal my subjects. All of the owls retreat underground as they roll past. They turned around, as I had, and parked behind me. All a-chatter, two of them immediately get out. The driver even opens her door and leaves it ajar as she prepares to shoot from her seat. It’s inconsiderate of the owls and detrimental to their goals, too. Some time passes before the mother peers from the burrow entrance. I waited twenty more minutes. The owlets never did come back out. This is the difference between a conscientious, measured approach and an overzealous attempt to “get the shot.” It only takes a few minutes of patience, quiet stillness, and thoughtful action to be accepted. Instead, they remained outsiders to this burrowing owl family’s fascinating life.

If you’re interested in purchasing or licensing any images you see here, please email me at SNewenham at exploringnaturephotos.com, and I’ll make it happen.

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