Still life with fence post. Photos (top and bottom) by Walter Putrycz.
Snowy owls are creatures of the tundra, and a rare sight this far south of the Arctic Circle. But this winter, the ghost-white birds have been turning up across the Northeastern U.S., in an unusual display that has delighted backyard birdwatchers from Maine to South Carolina.
Scientists think the owls might be flying south in search of prey, because of low food availability in their native habitat. Or it could be that this year's generation of young owls is unusually large, meaning many juveniles have to fly far from home to sustain themselves. Either way, this year's irruption -- a term that describes the en masse arrival of birds outside their normal wintering grounds -- is a treat for local birders.
The snowy owl pictured in the photos here was spotted by Pamela Peters and Walter Putrycz about two weeks ago on Jordanville Road, just north of Route 28 in Richfield Springs, NY. The couple's daughter, Elżbieta Putrycz, sent us the photos, and writes that other local birdwatchers have seen owls in Stamford as well.
Pamela was delighted with her Arctic encounter, Elżbieta writes:
In the past few weeks, Pam has driven across the counties of Delaware, Otsego, and, finally, Herkimer in hopes of seeing one of these mythic, northern creatures up close. Pam adds, "It is nice to be able to go bird-watching in the winter in the Northeast!"
Have you seen a snowy owl in the Catskills this winter? Photos welcome at editor@watershedpost.com.
