SNOWY SUCCESS!!!!

Leaving church yesterday, I asked Sis to check my email to see if there were any updates from my bird listserv.  "There are owls at the beach," she said.

"Owls plural?" I asked incredulously.

Yes.  Two owls.

We were 30 minutes away from the beach and I worried we wouldn't get there in time.

But we did.  Oh, yes, we did.

Well, one of the owls had already departed, but the other was comfortable on a jetty, ignoring the pack of photographers about 30 yards away.

Most of the photos here were taken with a zoom; the first photo is with my cell phone and gives a better indication of how far away we actually were.  It is very important not to get too close to a Snowy--do not try to flush the bird for a flight shot or take a close-up without a zoom lens.  This can stress the bird--which is indicated by the owl staring at you, moving its feet, standing up--and lead to the owl's death.  We've already lost a few owls here in CT, perhaps in part due to human stressors.  It's best to stay a few dozen yards (20-30 yards) at least.  If you see an owl thin or in distress, contact one of these organizations.

But seeing these birds in person is truly magical.  The real Hedwig!  They are not nocturnal so you can go owling during the day.  They like to be near water and marshland, where the voles, mice, etc. that they eat are.  So look around rocks or logs near beaches or tidal areas.  Better yet, look for a clump of photographers!  It's best to have some binoculars and you'll need a zoom lens, if a great photo is your goal.  I just like to see them; the photos below were by Mama and Bud, who both liked trying to capture the experience with a good camera.  

You should have plenty of chances this year to see a Snowy.  Audubon indicates it's an irruption year, which means more owls than usual will make their way down from the Arctic in search of food.  Many of them will be juveniles making the trip for the first time and inexperienced with humans, hence the high mortality rate.   Here in Connecticut, we'll probably be seeing them through March or so, depending on the weather.  

Last note:  black flecks indicate a juvenile or female; the all-white owls are usually adult males.

Happy owling!  This is just the beginning.