Cape’s ‘Ground Owl Day’ set for Feb. 2

A fun and quirky Cape Coral tradition takes place next week, 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 sixth annual “Ground Owl Day” on Friday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m. at Pelican Baseball Complex, in what is the city’s take on Groundhog Day.

Will the city’s official bird see its shadow? Only time will tell if the protected species will signal six more weeks of “winter” in Southwest Florida.

“This is really a great event for the community to get together and celebrate the burrowing owls,” said CCFW spokesperson Janet Windisch. “We really always want to raise awareness in the community of how important the burrowing owls are to us and our residents.”