Cape’s Ground Owl Day remembers burrowing owls — and their supporter

Cape Coral dignitaries and residents gathered Tuesday morning at Pelican Baseball Complex to celebrate the city bird in a unique twist on a long-time American tradition.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife’s third annual “Ground Owl Day” paid homage to the burrowing owl and looked to the Cape’s tiny feathery friend for some guidance on what kind of weather to expect over the next six weeks, just as the groundhog does in Punxsutawney, PA every year.

“It’s our own take on the classic event and it’s really about spreading awareness and providing education on burrowing owls and is our official city bird,” said CCFW Vice President Pascha Donaldson.

This year’s event was in honor of the late Mayor Joe Coviello, who was a strong supporter of CCFW and the preservation of species that call the city home.

Mayor John Gunter, along with District 3 Councilmember Tom Hayden and District 2 Councilmember Dan Sheppard were in attendance, as was Coviello’s wife Diane and one of his sons.