Possible snowy owl irruption this winter

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!

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

It seems like every couple of days I'm seeing reports of them on the MN Bird mailing list. 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. I'll certainly keep the forum posted if I hear anything interesting.

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.

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.or​g/wso_birding_news.htm​l for info on subscribing to the Wisconsin Birding Network.) And glancing over recent posts, sounds like Wisconsin is also seeing a lot of snowy owls.

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

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, where there's a map of reported snowy owl and northern hawk owl sightings.

NYBirder wrote in post #6654273
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.

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

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.

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.

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://colderbythelake​birding.blogspot.com/ . You might want to sign up for the MN Bird mailing list, a lot of people report on there too.

gymell wrote in post #6745373
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

Interesting, thanks for the explanation!

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