“Mr. Healy, I have a question I’ve been meaning to ask you.” My coworker approached me as I was stowing my binoculars after a brief pre-work survey of the schoolyard. “I’ve been at my place in northern Jersey for years now, but this year I’ve noticed something different. There are these birds, I can only describe them as…finches?” I smiled, … Read More
Snowy Owl Season: Reflections on Winter 2017-18
Bubo scandiacus is a highly evocative species. As one of the largest, most striking members of the ever popular owl family, Snowies have a special magic that drives people wild. Wherever these Arctic predators go, excitement bordering on chaos usually follows. I’ve been hooked on Snowy Owls my entire life. I spent my early childhood dragging around a beloved plush … Read More
Snowy Owl Irruption Watch 2013-14
The winter of 2013-2014 is proving to be one of the biggest Snowy Owl irruptions in years, even though owls just started arriving in the Mid-Atlantic region during the last two weeks. Here we will be trying to keep an updated account of all the Snowy Owl activity in the Mid-Atlantic states during this irruption season and score each bird … Read More
Snowy Owls make it to Delaware!
For the past couple of weeks, Snowy Owls have been making a significant push into the northeast. They appear to be concentrating in coastal areas, but are making their presence known in the Great Lakes region as well. There are only a few inland records thus far, but folks should definitely be on the lookout! Anyway, I’ve been enviously watching … Read More