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Rare owls found near racecourse

But the discovery of airport-area nests of the burrowing birds won't affect the auto races.

By MELANIE AVE
Published March 12, 2005

	[Times photo: Bill Serne]
	Yes, there really is an owl in this photo, although you have to look closely to see it. Audubon Society volunteers found two of the rare burrowing owls near Albert Whitted Municipal Airport in St. Petersburg and worried the upcoming Grand Prix of St. Petersburg would endanger the birds.

ST. PETERSBURG - Two burrowing owls threatened to send preparations for the city's grand prix into a tailspin Friday.

For a while, it looked like a messy showdown was imminent: delicate winged creatures vs. roaring race cars.

Four Audubon Society of St. Petersburg volunteers discovered two nests of the rare owls at Albert Whitted Municipal Airport in the morning. They think the nests are the only ones in Pinellas County.

"We were excited as heck," said Lorraine Margeson, an Audubon volunteer.

Aware of next month's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the bird-watchers checked a map to see which part of the airport property is being used for the Indy Racing League's 1.8-mile street course. They saw a fence line would be erected alongside the east-west runway for a track straightaway with RV parking alongside. It appeared the RVs were going to be atop one of the nests.

"We saw the map and said "Oh, my God,' " said Margeson.

The bird-watchers requested a speedy evaluation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Burrowing owls, which stand about 10 inches tall, are considered a "species of special concern" in Florida, meaning it is illegal to harass or kill them. Their typical nesting season is February through July.

The owls have been nesting at the airport off and on since the late 1990s. A few have also made homes at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base. Their natural habitat, open prairie, has diminished.

In the afternoon, Audubon volunteers Lee Snyder and David Kandz accompanied wildlife Officer David Albonetti to the nests at Albert Whitted.

"We don't want to stop the race," said Kandz. "We just want to see the owls get the protection they deserve."

A closer look at the nest and the map by airport manager Richard Lesniak showed the owls' homes were more than 100 feet south of the race area.

"I don't see a problem," Lesniak said.

Still, Albonetti said he will send the airport a letter asking that it place a rope around the two nests, keeping people and vehicles at least 150 feet away.

Kandz said he plans to attend the grand prix, which he sees as an economic boon to St. Petersburg. He said he can't wait to watch the cars. And, he added, "I'll be watching the owls too."

Melanie Ave can be reached at 727 892-2273 or melanie@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 12, 2005, 06:08:54]