Snowy Owl Irruption

If you happen to see a white owl flying around, odds are you haven’t been accepted to Hogwarts. This winter, the northern US is being treated to a snowy owl irruption. What’s an irruption? It’s a sudden population increase followed by a mass dispersal.

Snowy owls typically inhabit the Arctic: northern Canada, Alaska, even Russia and Scandinavia. When there is abundant prey, there is more reproduction and higher offspring survival. That population increase makes things a little crowded though. When the young are ready to fledge the nest, they will migrate farther than usual from home in order to establish their own territories. Established owls, feeling the pinch, might also spread out. The higher the population, the farther they fly to get away from other owls. 

Snowy owls are used to open, treeless areas in the Arctic
(US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Areas that don’t normally see snowy owls are reporting a sudden influx. Depending on where, just two or three owls might count as a sudden influx. New York, New Jersey, and Michigan are just a few of the places that I know of that getting these visitors from the Great White North.

I thought about driving to the Jersey shore to try my luck at finding the snowbird recently seen at Island Beach State Park. Reason quickly returned, as I decided against spending hours waiting in bitter cold temperatures for something that might not happen. I don’t expect good odds of seeing one at home with. During the week, I waste my daylight at work and on weekends it’s been too cold to leave the house. Unlike snowy owls, I prefer a warmer climate. 
This week's information comes from the Audubon Society and UM's Animal Diversity Web.

Snowy owl in flight (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Snowy owl I found in Washington (in captivity at Northwest Trek)