Snowy Owls Flocking to Lakefront

Image Credit: /Shutterstock.com

Spotting snowy owls along the lakefront isn't rare. But the bird is showing up in larger-than-normal numbers due in part to a breeding frenzy that's sending them farther south in search of food.

And the species is finding a smorgasbord of other fowl and even rats to eat. Snowy Owls have spread out along the northern part of the nation, from Illinois to Washington state, and one was even spotted in Hawaii. Locally, up to eight snowy owls were spotted in Green Bay, WI and six were spotted on Lake Michigan's eastern shore. Evanston birder Matthew Cvetas said in previous years only a couple of the species were spotted in the area.

The first spotted owl was spotted along Montrose Harbor Nov. 19 and was tracked by bird watchers by scope to the Fullerton revetment. A second owl later landed at Montrose Harbor and made itself at home to the delight of birders.

The Sun-Times has a nice gallery of snowy owls along the lakefront and the people who watch them.

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By Chuck Sudo in News on December 14, 2011 10:40 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Bill Savage

As Dale Bowman said in today's ST, though, don't chase or harass these birds: they must be pretty stressed to come this far south for food, and having someone with a camera running after one could lead to it expending the energy it needs just to get by.

kristin

I started noticing a few about 5 years ago at Navy Pier - I don't think this is a first

chicagoist_tips

It isn't a first. But what is is the larger numbers.

Navin_Johnson

Surely a sign from Athena.

Prescott Carlson

O RLY?

vitaly

And they're taking care of the rat problem to boot? Nice.

ChicagoD

Now just don't poison the rats, city!

Nicholas

To see these magnificent birds in the city is a marvelous experience. Last year, I had one fly low over my head. To see such a large white bird like that was a real surprise. I was wearing a fur hat at the time and always wonder if that is what got me buzzed.