Burrowing Owls

In October 2024, the western burrowing owl was listed as a candidate for threatened or endangered species status by the California Fish and Game Commission. That decision triggered a 12- to 18-month status review by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). During the review, the western burrowing owl is afforded the same protections as species with the threatened or endangered status. A decision on the species' listing is expected in 2026. 

Below is table showing the monthly owl counts over the last five years at Shoreline along with an updated list of species observed that were observed last month. This information can also be found in the Monthly Reports provided to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

In April, LSA observed 9 burrowing owls and mapped 16 burrows with evidence of activity. Burrowing owls and burrows with evidence of activity were observed within the NE Meadowlands, Back 9 of the Golf Course, and West Vista Slope. As breeding season commences, the number of active burrows and owls visibly observed outside of their burrows has decreased. LSA has determined that at least four burrows exhibit evidence of natal activity.

Other species observed in the month of April include: song sparrow, Canada goose, house finch, black phoebe, California gull, American crow, common raven, northern mockingbird, American kestrel, tree swallow, red-shouldered hawk, turkey vulture, Bewick’s wren, black skimmer, white-crowned sparrow, American coot, Anna’s hummingbird, California towhee, red-winged blackbird, cliff swallow, lesser goldfinch, rock pigeon, mourning dove, killdeer, Forster’s tern, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, barn swallow, western kingbird, western bluebird, savannah sparrow, western meadowlark, northern flicker, European starling, great blue heron, sharp-shinned hawk, great egret, Cooper’s hawk, California scrub-jay, Say’s phoebe, mallard, southern alligator lizard, western fence lizard, black-tailed jackrabbit, and California ground squirrel.

In early April, staff from Trails and Open Space, Utilities, and Parks dedicated a day to preparing the sailing lake island for nesting season by adding sand to nesting areas of the island and repairing boards that prevent eggs from rolling off the island. Staff also relocated the buoys around the island.

With on-and-off wet weather in March and April and multiple mowers being out of service, staff spent multiple days in the latter half of April catching up on mowing and performing vegetation removal of key habitat areas in Shoreline, under the supervision of the contract biologists.

Biologists

The City has contracted with the firms, LSA and Sequoia, to perform biological services including monitoring and protecting burrowing owls and other wildlife species. In addition to conducting weekly and monthly wildlife monitoring surveys, the biologists also perform other duties such as project evaluations (pre-construction surveys); advise and oversee vegetation management; monitor wildlife including the burrowing owl during maintenance projects; review CEQA documentation for capital projects; and provide reports for grant opportunities. 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The City and contracted biologists communicate with CDFW to review processes and projects while the burrowing owl is listed as "candidate" status. In 2024, CDFW met with staff at Shoreline and were provided a tour to better understand all the activities, maintenance and environmental dynamics that go into operating this regional recreation and wildlife area. 

Volunteer Projects and Opportunities

The City has partnered with Grassroots Ecology to perform a habitat enhancement project along the upland area of the Mountain View Tidal Marsh. The project is funded by a grant from Valley Water and volunteers come on a monthly basis. The City and Grassroots Ecology have also partnered to apply for a grant from the Coastal Conservancy to expand the work along the Mountain View Tidal Marsh and enhance the habitat in a former irrigation pond in Shoreline. 

The Guardian Project organizes volunteers at least once a month to perform Western Burrowing Owl and Monarch Butterfly habitat restoration and enhancement work in the 9-acre site at Shoreline. The work performed by these volunteers enhances foraging habitat for the owls and serves as a critical food source.

The City hosts other volunteer days at Shoreline and along our trails for invasive plant removal and habitat enhancements through the year. If you're interested in volunteering, please visit our volunteer page and sign up on the City's volunteer platform to be alerted of upcoming volunteer events. 

Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan

The City adopted the Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan (SWMP) in March 2023. The SWMP works within the framework of other plans for Shoreline and the North Bayshore Area, including the Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan, North Bayshore Precise Plan EIR, Post Closure Maintenance Plan (landfill) and efforts related to the Sea Level Rise Study. working on a Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan. The SWMP can be found here.

Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan

The Western Burrowing Owl is a small, brown and white barred owl that stands 8-10 inches tall. Burrowing Owls may be present in any areas with ground squirrel burrows or artificial burrows on flat ground, hillsides or low embankments. Shoreline at Mountain View is one of four sites in the Bay Area that the Western Burrowing Owl calls home. 

In 1998, the City of Mountain View formally implemented the first of two Burrowing Owl Management Plans to ensure the safety and success of this "Species of Special Concern." In 2012, the City updated the Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan to further the efforts to protect this species while completing necessary work and maintenance on infrastructure located within Shoreline. 

Protect the low-flying Burrowing owl and other species at Shoreline by observing the 25 mph speed limit when driving through the park, stay on pathways and use caution when viewing the charming Western Burrowing owl from afar.

Mayors Monarch Pledge

Since 2021, each Mayor of Mountain View has signed onto the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge through the National Wildlife Federation. As part of this pledge, the City of Mountain View commits to at least three actions every year related to either education, outreach, creation of pollinator habitat, or maintenance and enhancement of existing pollinator habitat. 

Engage with Community Garden Groups

The City has partnered with GreenSpacesMV, a local nonprofit, to create a pollinator habitat at Cuesta Park. The project is expected to be completed in 2022 and will create a habitat that enhances the local pollinator and wildlife environment with native plants while increasing biodiversity. The project will be planted and maintained by volunteers with support from the City. In addition to serving as a habitat for pollinators, the project will also be an educational site for visitors in order to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity and pollinators, including the monarch butterfly. It will also serve a demonstration habitat where people can learn how to establish and propagate native plants for their own yards.

Host Native Seed Giveaway

In addition to the efforts described above, the City has also added native, local milkweed seeds to its Seed Library program through the Mountain View Public Library. Through the program, individuals can visit the Seed Library within Mountain View library and take seeds for free along with educational materials on how to plant and grow them. View additional information on the MVPL Seed Library Program.