Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration

[Pathfinder]

Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration

Laura Zuckerman Reuters
11:56 a.m. CST, January 28, 2012

SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - Bird enthusiasts are reporting rising numbers of snowy owls from the Arctic winging into the lower 48 states this winter in a mass southern migration that a leading owl researcher called "unbelievable."

Thousands of the snow-white birds, which stand 2 feet tall with 5-foot wingspans, have been spotted from coast to coast, feeding in farmlands in Idaho, roosting on rooftops in Montana, gliding over golf courses in Missouri and soaring over shorelines in Massachusetts.
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"This is the most significant wildlife event in decades," added Holt, who has studied snowy owls in their Arctic tundra ecosystem for two decades.
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This winter's snowy owl outbreak, with multiple sightings as far south as Oklahoma, remains largely a mystery of nature.

"There's a lot of speculation. As far as hard evidence, we really don't know," Holt said.

Full text:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-owls-migrationtre80r0mp-20120128,0,6112152.story

 

[Emily]

Re: Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration

There were over 30 a couple of weeks ago at a park near Kansas City.
http://www.kmbc.com/r-video/30248726/detail.html

But they look weak and disoriented in that video. One is just sitting on a picnic table. The biologist said they suspect that their food source crashed in the Arctic for some reason. At best this was due to a population of owls exploding there recently, but I think the owl population was already suspected to be in trouble, rather than flourishing.

An update at the park says the owls aren't being seen anymore. The biologist thought most would die of starvation and stress.

http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/SM/

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration

Another factor that can cause migrations is unusually severe weather - however, it is not an area I have been able to find weather forecasts for, i.e cover an area where these birds may have come from.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2011

Contacts:
Ashley Spratt, 612-713-5314
Bob Russell, 612-713-5437

Service alerts public to abundance of snowy owls in upper Midwest this winter​

Photo by Michaela Sagatova. View more on Flickr. ​

Snowy owls originating from the Arctic tundra are migrating south to winter in regions of the Great Lakes and Midwest plains, according to migratory bird biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The species? rare southerly migration may be the result of a decline in its forage base and a productive breeding season. The snowy owl migration began this October and the birds are expected to remain in portions of the United States until late winter/early spring.

Unlike many owls, snowy owls thrive in open grasslands, nest on the ground, and hunt mainly during the day. They feed on small mammals, waterfowl, birds and fish, and, their coloring, large size, unique hunting behavior and remote habitat distinguish them from other owl species.

?Since snowy owls tend to remain in the Arctic year-round, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to see them in the upper Midwest this winter. I encourage people to get outside and add seeing this owl in the wild to their life list,? said Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. ?However, as these birds tend to be in open areas and active during the day, please be aware and respectful so these Arctic visitors can return home in the spring.?

Although many adult snowy owls are thriving on their wintering grounds in the upper Midwest, younger birds appearing weak, thin or flightless may be emaciated from their long migration over the boreal forests of Canada. Members of the public that see a snowy owl in this condition should contact their local wildlife rehabilitator. A list of rehabilitators by state is available below:

Illinois - http://www.dnr.state.il.us/law3/pdfs/rehab_permit.pdf
Indiana - http://www.entm.purdue.edu/wildlife/NWCO&REHAB.htm#INDIANA%20REHABILITATORS
Iowa - http://www.extension.iastate.edu/wildlife/RehabList
Michigan - http://www.michigandnr.com/dlr/
Minnesota - http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/rehabilitation/rehabers_list.pdf
Ohio - http://ohiodnr.com/wildlife/Home/resources/orphans/rehabilitators/tabid/6013/Default.aspx
Wisconsin - http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/whealth/rehab/directory/

If your state is not listed, contact your local state wildlife agency for more information.Snowy owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Under the Act, taking, killing or possessing migratory birds is prohibited. Violation of this Act warrants arrest, jail time, penalties and fines under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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http://www.fws.gov/midwest/News/release.cfm?rid=487