Possible snowy owl irruption this winter

[gymell]

There have already been several reports of snowy owls here in MN, which is quite early. Also I volunteer for the MN Raptor Center, and they've had a few in already, again very unusual this early in the season. It's not uncommon to have a few around here and there, but these early reports make me wonder if we are going to have a big irruption year. Keep your cameras ready!

[cadams]

I might need to make my way up north this year to catch me some of these. They are very cool birds.

[gymell]

It seems like every couple of days I'm seeing reports of them on the MN Bird mailing list (http://www.mnbird.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mnbird). You can join the list if you want to get the emails (although there are lots of other topics besides that which you may not care about.) Or perhaps the Wisconsin birding community has a similar email list. One good place here in MN to watch for winter species is Sax Zim Bog (http://moumn.org/sax-zim/). I'll certainly keep the forum posted if I hear anything interesting.

[cadams]

I dont know of anything like this in the wisconsin area. I wish there was because it would be nice to hear from other photographers in the area. Maybe I should just start one and see if I can get people interested.

[gymell]

The list isn't for photographers specifically, it's the Minnesota Birding Network and so is a birding list. Although birders tend to have different goals than photographers, I've found it a good source of info for what's going on and where to find things. Looks like you do have something similar (check http://www.wsobirds.org/wso_birding_news.html for info on subscribing to the Wisconsin Birding Network.) And glancing over recent posts (http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/WISBIRDN), sounds like Wisconsin is also seeing a lot of snowy owls.

[Natural Images]

I think you may be right. Here in New York there have been more reports on Snowy Owls then usual and earlier then usual.

[gymell]

Yeah, there were a few more reports over the weekend. Definitely something going on! For those here in the upper midwest, keep an eye on this blog (http://colderbythelakebirding.blogspot.com/), where there's a map of reported snowy owl and northern hawk owl sightings.

[GovMule]

I think you may be right. Here in New York there have been more reports on Snowy Owls then usual and earlier then usual.

NYB,
Where are the snowies showing up in New York ? I was thinking of heading north of the border.

[WingsofFury]

Here in Southern Ontario we've had many sightings all throughout the region. Most of these sightings take place at the more popular birding locations, especially here in the city.

I also volunteer at a Raptor Centre, but the environment we have isn't conducive to Snowies at all. There are resident Great Horned's and the occasional Saw Whet but that is all.

I spoke with a friend of mine who hails from Alaska and apparantly the leming population was huge this year, which could result in a higher than average success rate for Snowies. The same holds true for Gyrs, however, it is very rare that these birds will come this far south in the winter months given that their main forage, hares and ptarmigans, remain on their ranges throughout the winter months.

I'm going to pick up a 300mm lens to have a chance to shoot some of these birds around Christmas time...should be quite the adventure!

Attila

[gymell]

Interesting, I thought the snowies came south when the lemming population crashed up north. I wonder why so many are here, if the lemming numbers are above normal.

[hypertech]

I know very little about raptor though I am trying to learn. I just started at the raptor center (sent you a PM) and I thought I overheard some comments bout a lemming movement and them expecting more snowy's this year. Maybe there is something related to that?

I haven't gotten to see one yet at the clinic though. I'm going to go looking around next weekend now that you mention it because I've never seen one.

[gymell]

I'm sure you'll learn a lot quickly on the clinic crew. I'm on the transport crew and I think it would be super cool to go out and pick up a snowy owl to bring back to the raptor center! As for snowy owl reported locations, check out Mike Hendrickson's map of snowy and northern hawk owl reports on his blog at http://colderbythelakebirding.blogspot.com/ . You might want to sign up for the MN Bird mailing list (http://www.mnbird.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mnbird), a lot of people report on there too.

[WingsofFury]

Interesting, I thought the snowies came south when the lemming population crashed up north. I wonder why so many are here, if the lemming numbers are above normal.

It actually works in reverse Liz.

A healthy population of lemings up north, especially early in the year when the chicks are born, will ensure a higher survival rate as less will die from starvation. Another valuable food source for the owls is the vole, and in recent years the vole population hasn't been doing as well.

Remember that a certain range can only hold so many predators within it, and the lemings are a food source not only for the owls but also for wolves, foxes, and a myriad of other predators found throughout the owls range.

Hope this information helps. :)

Attila

[gymell]

Interesting, thanks for the explanation!

[dewitp]

Reading the Nova Scotia nature lists, they have had a huge number of snowy owl reports as well.

[WingsofFury]

Dewtip, do you ever head down to Kingston and Amherst Island? It is a decent location that holds Snowies almost all winter long.

[jmik26]

Snowy owls have been reported all over in IL. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ILbirds/messages?o=1) Maybe I will get some shots this year, thats all I want for Christmas, :lol:... Jeff

[gymell]

May Santa bring us all a snowy owl, one that is cooperative and likes to pose for pictures. And not at the Minneapolis airport like two years ago, Santa!! I got a photograph of one, but with the runway and a plane taking off behind it, not exactly an ideal background!

[WingsofFury]

Hey Liz, can you email me that picture or post it on here?? For a flight enthusiast like me it'd be neat to see. :)

[gymell]

Hey Liz, can you email me that picture or post it on here?? For a flight enthusiast like me it'd be neat to see. :)

Heh, it was such a crappy photo that I took it off my gallery. I still have it on my computer at home so I'll dig it up and post it. Don't get too excited, all you can see is the bottom part of the plane, and maybe the engine, and something that looks like a snowball with eyes in the foreground. ;)

[dewitp]

Dewtip, do you ever head down to Kingston and Amherst Island? It is a decent location that holds Snowies almost all winter long.


I have. I'm from Kingston and head to the island on occasion, around the bird sanctuary and a friends place. I've never seen a snowy owl there though. I do have a few photos from east of Ottawa taken last year though, near Casselman.

[gymell]

Hey Liz, can you email me that picture or post it on here?? For a flight enthusiast like me it'd be neat to see. :)

Hey, here's my craptacular snowy owl photo, as requested! ;)

http://www.pbase.com/image/106400232/original.jpg

[WingsofFury]

I have. I'm from Kingston and head to the island on occasion, around the bird sanctuary and a friends place. I've never seen a snowy owl there though. I do have a few photos from east of Ottawa taken last year though, near Casselman.

I've actually wanted to get around to going and I'm looking at this Saturday to go do some 'watching', as in seeing the bird in a habitat and how it spends its daily routine. With only having a 55mm lens right now, doing any shooting just isn't in the works right now unfortunately.

I've heard that they spend some time on Wolfe too...any substance to that?

[WingsofFury]

Hey, here's my craptacular snowy owl photo, as requested! ;)

A snowy owl and the belly of a Northwest Airlines 747....I'm in Heaven...:)

[dewitp]

I've actually wanted to get around to going and I'm looking at this Saturday to go do some 'watching', as in seeing the bird in a habitat and how it spends its daily routine. With only having a 55mm lens right now, doing any shooting just isn't in the works right now unfortunately.

I've heard that they spend some time on Wolfe too...any substance to that?


To be honest, I haven't ventured to Wolfe Island since I was a kid, I have no idea.

If you go to Amherst Island during the winter (when there is lots of snow), bring a rugged vehicle, AWD is pretty much needed to get onto the bird sanctuary road, they don't clear it. Though if you don't have one, go around to the south end of the sanctuary and walk from main (plowed) road there, it's not too far of a walk. Drive around the island too, not just the sanctuary... the whole place is littered with birds, especialy during migration times.

Keep in mind that Amherst ferry is not free :confused: Bring a little cash

[andrewhuxman]

Wow this is very interesting subject I have been discussing this with my wife and we are trying to locate where the Snowies are and will be , very glad i found this.

[gymell]

A snowy owl and the belly of a Northwest Airlines 747....I'm in Heaven...:)

Heh, they seem to love airports. There are usually a few at the MSP airport, and some at the Duluth airport. The security people are always having to chase the birders away.

[WingsofFury]

To be honest, I haven't ventured to Wolfe Island since I was a kid, I have no idea.

If you go to Amherst Island during the winter (when there is lots of snow), bring a rugged vehicle, AWD is pretty much needed to get onto the bird sanctuary road, they don't clear it. Though if you don't have one, go around to the south end of the sanctuary and walk from main (plowed) road there, it's not too far of a walk. Drive around the island too, not just the sanctuary... the whole place is littered with birds, especialy during migration times.

Keep in mind that Amherst ferry is not free :confused: Bring a little cash

Thanks for the headsup dewtip, I had no idea what would be waiting for me when I got there. Do alot of people leave their cars on that road? I'm just thinking about security...

What type of cash should I bring for the ferry? Loonies? Toonies? Bills??

[WingsofFury]

Wow this is very interesting subject I have been discussing this with my wife and we are trying to locate where the Snowies are and will be , very glad i found this.

Hey Andrew, nice to see a familiar aviation buff on here as well.

While I'm not in Illinois, it seems like all the border states are having a great influx of the white owls this winter which should make for some great photo ops if you can locate them.

Like Liz mentioned, they love airports (heck, what raptor doesn't??) because of the open fields and virtual buffet that is available to them. Another spot that I seem to find them at are the beaches at wild park areas (not sure where you can find those in Illinois??) down by a waterfront.

If you find some, can't wait to see your results!

Attila

[andrewhuxman]

Hey Andrew, nice to see a familiar aviation buff on here as well.

While I'm not in Illinois, it seems like all the border states are having a great influx of the white owls this winter which should make for some great photo ops if you can locate them.

Like Liz mentioned, they love airports (heck, what raptor doesn't??) because of the open fields and virtual buffet that is available to them. Another spot that I seem to find them at are the beaches at wild park areas (not sure where you can find those in Illinois??) down by a waterfront.

If you find some, can't wait to see your results!

Attila

Hello and thanks. If it flies I am into it and want to capture it with a camera,I am willing and able to drive to where they can be found but the key is locating them and since I am just starting out on my quest for Snowy Owls I need all the help I can get.

[Natural Images]

I wish one would swing by my house, and like pose on a silo or something :).
There have been alot of sightings lately but I haven't gone to see any of them. Maybe Santa will bring me a Snowy Owl carrying some serious "L" glass this year ;).

[dewitp]

Thanks for the headsup dewtip, I had no idea what would be waiting for me when I got there. Do alot of people leave their cars on that road? I'm just thinking about security...

What type of cash should I bring for the ferry? Loonies? Toonies? Bills??


I've never seen anyone else at the sanctuary the few times I've been. I wouldn't worry too much about security, the island is very rural, and most birders are honest people :-)

I think the ferry is 8 bucks. Thats including the return trip, which they give you a voucher for.

[GovMule]

Dewtip,
I plan on coming up to Amherst from around Syracuse at some point this winter.
Another POTN'r mentioned Amherst to me. Sounds like a great place !

[WingsofFury]

How about we all pick a day? Often better in numbers I find...

Attila

[gymell]

Here's an interesting article on snowy owls here in MN: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/30/raptor_troubles/

[dewitp]

If any of you are still thinking about visiting Amherst Island, I highly suggest you do. Many owl residents this winter (Barred, Boreal, Saw Whet, Long Eared, and lots of Snowys) all condensed into one great little birding area :-)


Oh and if anyone is near Ottawa, go check out the Northern Hawk Owl!

[snowyowl13]

There have been more than 20 Snowy Owl reports here this winter. That's probably 3 times more than usual. I find that the most consistent locations for them are along the rocky breakwaters/sea walls or below the sand dunes however some are being reported in fields and one even on someone's porch. Several have ended up at the Vet college, at least two were starving.