Anahuac Owl LbNA #76631

Burrowing Owls normally live in open habitats with sparse vegetation such as prairies, pastures, deserts or grasslands. In parts of their range they are closely associated with prairie dogs and ground squirrels, whose burrows they use for nests. However, they are not usually found in the coastal wetlands west of Houston. There has been one exception in the last few years, however: the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. Back in 2017, a Burrowing Owl was spotted living under a broken concrete slab in a cow lot right next to East Galveston Bay. Word quickly spread and the little owl became a Facebook celebrity. He was even given a name, but since I don’t remember what it was, I call him Anahuac Owl. He stayed there for a couple of years if I remember correctly, and we visited him overtime we went there on a birding trip. Then, one day, the farmer that owned the cows and the lot decided to work it over with his tractor for whatever reason. In doing so, he disturbed the concrete pad and the owl went away. We thought it was gone forever, but somehow I guess the farmer came back and disturbed the slab again, creating a hole suitable for the Burrowing Owl. Late in 2022, he came back. Again, word spread and people came to see him. Of course, there’s no way it was the same owl, but I like to think so. Unfortunately, he has since left again. Maybe he’ll come back. I hope so.

Directions: Go to the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge off FM1985 in Chambers County, Texas. Find the Visitors Information Center building and turn right toward Shoveler Pond. Pass the parking area on the right and continue around the curve to a small parking area at the Willows Trailhead. Park here.

To the box: Walk a short distance down the trail to a wooden fence on your right. You’ll find the the box on the other side of the fence at the base of the second post, covered with rocks and stuff.