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Snowy Owls Fly South
(Dec-2011)
In a once-in-every-five-year-or-so event, snowy owls of the Arctic have been winging into the Lower 48 and turning heads. The nearly two-foot-
tall, predominantly white owls —Harry Potter’s Hedwig was a snowy — are hard to miss. Most snowy owls normally live year-round in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge and other sites north of Alaska's Brooks Range; a few overwinter in the Northern Plains and New England. But last fall
they were spreading across the U.S in great numbers.
Sharp-eyed folks at the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex report sightings there. Other sightings come from as far east as Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts and as far south as Kansas. Snowies also were spotted in Wisconsin,Connecticut, New York,
Maine, Vermont, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state.
Why do snowy owls sometimes fly south en masse? Snowy owls’ favorite prey are small rodents called lemmings, which are notorious for boom
and bust population cycles. Biologists think the owls’ “irruptions” south from the Arctic occur when lemmings are in short supply. Sightings of
snowy owlers in the Lower 48 ere compiled on a map from reports on eBird and state bird listservs.
Unlike many other owls, snowies are active in the daytime. They tend to perch at high points overlooking open sites such as beaches and
airports. Exhausted from their long flights, some starve if prey is scarce.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has more information on snowy owls.
Photo: Pat Gaines, Creative Commons
(Dec-2011)
In a once-in-every-five-year-or-so event, snowy owls of the Arctic have been winging into the Lower 48 and turning heads. The nearly two-foot-
tall, predominantly white owls —Harry Potter’s Hedwig was a snowy — are hard to miss. Most snowy owls normally live year-round in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge and other sites north of Alaska's Brooks Range; a few overwinter in the Northern Plains and New England. But last fall
they were spreading across the U.S in great numbers.
Sharp-eyed folks at the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex report sightings there. Other sightings come from as far east as Parker
River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts and as far south as Kansas. Snowies also were spotted in Wisconsin,Connecticut, New York,
Maine, Vermont, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington state.
Why do snowy owls sometimes fly south en masse? Snowy owls’ favorite prey are small rodents called lemmings, which are notorious for boom
and bust population cycles. Biologists think the owls’ “irruptions” south from the Arctic occur when lemmings are in short supply. Sightings of
snowy owlers in the Lower 48 ere compiled on a map from reports on eBird and state bird listservs.
Unlike many other owls, snowies are active in the daytime. They tend to perch at high points overlooking open sites such as beaches and
airports. Exhausted from their long flights, some starve if prey is scarce.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has more information on snowy owls.
Photo: Pat Gaines, Creative Commons
Snowshoe Hikes Offered at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge welcomes the public to strap on some snowshoes and enjoy several events in January
and February, 2012. On snowshoes, Visitor Services Specialist Daniel Peterson, will take visitors on snowshoe walks in search of
birds, wildlife, and to enjoy the winter season outdoors. “It’s good exercise and a chance to check out rough-legged hawks, red-
headed woodpeckers, and possibly wolf tracks”, states Peterson. Here’s a list of the upcoming events:
All hikes will travel at an easy pace. No prior experience is necessary. There are a limited number of snowshoes available for
loan by the refuge and preregistration is appreciated. Please call 608-565-2551 for additional information and / or to preregister.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes. If snow is not good for snowshoeing, the programs will become a hike.
The free events are open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All programs begin in the Visitor Center.
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday 7:30am to 4pm,
and closed Sundays, and is located two miles north on Headquarters Road off of Highway 21 four miles west of the Village of
Necedah or 18 miles east of Tomah. Visit http://www.fws.gov/midwest/necedah for more information about your National Wildlife
Refuge, or find us on Facebook.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife
conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws/gov.
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge welcomes the public to strap on some snowshoes and enjoy several events in January
and February, 2012. On snowshoes, Visitor Services Specialist Daniel Peterson, will take visitors on snowshoe walks in search of
birds, wildlife, and to enjoy the winter season outdoors. “It’s good exercise and a chance to check out rough-legged hawks, red-
headed woodpeckers, and possibly wolf tracks”, states Peterson. Here’s a list of the upcoming events:
- Friday, January 27: Snowshoe Birding. Take a walk on snowshoes in search of our feathered friends. Begins at 4pm and
ends at 7pm.
- Saturday, January 28: Story Time Snowshoe. Join us for a story about animals surviving in the winter season and then
head outside on snowshoes for a short hike to identify wildlife and their tracks. Program begins at 2pm and ends at 5pm.
- Saturday, February 11: Sweetheart Snowshoe. Bring your special Valentine for a romantic walk in the woods on snowshoes.
Program begins at 7:00 pm.
All hikes will travel at an easy pace. No prior experience is necessary. There are a limited number of snowshoes available for
loan by the refuge and preregistration is appreciated. Please call 608-565-2551 for additional information and / or to preregister.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes. If snow is not good for snowshoeing, the programs will become a hike.
The free events are open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All programs begin in the Visitor Center.
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday 7:30am to 4pm,
and closed Sundays, and is located two miles north on Headquarters Road off of Highway 21 four miles west of the Village of
Necedah or 18 miles east of Tomah. Visit http://www.fws.gov/midwest/necedah for more information about your National Wildlife
Refuge, or find us on Facebook.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife
conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and
commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws/gov.
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