FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL PISTELLA

A quirky Cape Coral tradition will soon see its fifth installment, as the city’s official bird will again serve as the prognosticator of weather to come.

The burrowing owl takes center stage as the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife and Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department host the annual “Ground Owl Day” on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Pelican Baseball Complex, in what is the city’s take on Groundhog Day. The burrowing owl is expected to see his shadow, in turn signaling six more weeks of “winter” in sunny Southwest Florida.

“Ground Owl Day is probably the only Ground Owl Day in the world,” said CCFW past president Pascha Donaldson. “It’s such a unique event. Of course, we want the opposite of what Northerns want, because we love our winters here.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to take a photo with “Athene,” the Burrowing Owl Festival mascot. There will be a reading of the official proclamation and CCFW officials will have information about conservation efforts. NBC2 meteorologist Rob Duns will also attend as a way to pay homage to the classic film, “Groundhog Day.”

“We want people to come out and have a good time,” Donaldson said. “We’re campaigning this year for more residents to have starter burrows.”

CCFW also will provide an update on how local burrows have fared since Hurricane Ian and get the excitement going for the upcoming 21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival on Feb. 25.

Other than being a fun way to celebrate the burrowing owl and be an event precursor to the annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Ground Owl Day is a way to become educated on the importance of the burrowing owl, how to preserve their population and the ecotourism dollar they bring to the city.

“It’s very important to keep these birds safe,” Donaldson said. “First of all, it’s the official city bird. Second, they bring a boost to the economy, and third, they are adorable to enjoy. It’s all about preservation, protection, and enjoying the wildlife we have here while it lasts. There’s not a lot of cities that have urban owls. Between the hurricane and construction, they’re losing habitat rapidly, which is why we’re promotion starter burrows.”

For more information on CCFW, starter burrows, and the upcoming Burrowing Owl Festival, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org.

Pelican Baseball Complex is at 4128 Pelican Blvd.

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj