Where is My Snowy Owl?
March 16, 2010
Article in: The New Birder Experience
Last year around this time, Stacia spotted a Snowy Owl relaxing in one of the fields at her farm. She was super excited, even though this was prior to her meeting her Birdfreak. (Of course, who wouldn’t be excited about a SNOWY OWL?!)
Recently, Stacia asked “Where’s my Snowy Owl?”, hoping he or she would return so we could see it together. Here’s my thoughts on why this owl hasn’t returned this year.
Last winter (2008-2009) there was a fairly big movement of “winter finches” – Pine Siskins, Common & Hoary Redpolls, and White-winged & Red Crossbills. There were lots of Northern Shrike sightings as well as a Spotted Towhee (rare for our area).
What about Snowy Owls?
This picture was taken two winters ago.
Snowy Owl sightings were fairly regular. At one point in February of last year there were at least FOUR Snowies in LaSalle and DeKalb (Stacia’s) counties.
This year there have been hardly any Snowy Owl sightings in northern Illinois. Also lacking from the bird sightings: all the above listed birds (at least for the most part and in our core counties of coverage: Winnebago, DeKalb, Boone, Ogle).
This pattern seems to fit. The weather and food supply must have been adequate enough to keep the “winter” birds further north (which is a good thing for them). So it really isn’t too surprising that Stacia’s Snowy Owl didn’t return.
Snowy Owl mount at Severson Dells
Learn more about Snowy Owls from Cornell’s All About Birds.
Review of Snowy Owls: Whoo Are They?
December 3, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Snowy Owls: Who Are They?
qualifies as a book for kids (stated age 8 and up) so we decided to give Dakota a chance at reviewing it. He is 11 and loves birds (and owls before Harry Potter made them more popular). These are mostly his thoughts.
Snowy Owls is a fairly easy read but stays focused on the subject. It teaches kids the important information about my favorite owl, sometimes called the Ukpik, a term used by the Inupiaq people of Barrow. Some of the topics discussed are breeding, brooding, and the dangers Snowy Owl young face.
It has three unique and fun looking games that would be fun to play at a camp or in science class. They can be played by thirty (and probably more) kids at once. There are also activities throughout the book that suggest owl behaviors that you can act out.
There are many cool facts throughout the book that increase knowledge and interest of this beautiful bird. The drawings are excellent and realistic and there are a few pictures including a female owl with babies and a Snowy Owl being banded.
At the end of the book there are several references to books and websites about all kinds of owls for more information.
Rating: 10 of 10 feathers
Snowy Owls: Whoo Are They?
Written by: Ansley Watson Ford and Denver W. Holt
Illustrated by: Jennifer White Bohman
64 pages
$12.00
ISBN: 978-0-87842-543-3
Published: 2008 by Mountain Press Publishing Company
