Tag Archives: Owls

Long-eared and Short-eared Owls, April 13, 2013

Long-eared Owl. Photo by Kanae Hirabayashi. (click to see the larger version)

Both Long-eared and Short-eared Owls were at Montrose on Saturday, April 13. The Long-eared Owl was roosting in a vine tangle near the Magic Hedge and the Short-eared Owl was flying around the point. Two Long-eared Owls were in the same area the day before. Seeing both Asio owls in the same day at Montrose is unusual, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve done this. It continues to be an unusually cold spring in the Midwest and as a result migration is behind schedule.

Short-eared Owl, April 4, 2013

I had a Short-eared Owl this morning, my first of spring at Montrose. I was standing at the end of the fishhook pier when the bird flew in front of me and out over the lake. I suspect the bird flushed out of the dunes. I also had a small group of Redheads and Greater and Lesser Scaup in the lake off the end of the pier. Other than that I saw nothing else of note.

No More Snowy Owl Reports

I won’t be reporting any future Snowy Owl sightings from Montrose because of the continued harassment these birds have been receiving, both from birders and non-birders. I admit that it might be too late but I think enough people have seen, enjoyed and photographed these birds that it’s now time to leave them alone. I’m not going to tell people what to do and I’m not casting blame but I would encourage anyone who sees Snowy Owls at Montrose to consider their welfare and think twice about publicly reporting any future Snowy Owl sightings.

Still More Snowy Owls

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl (click to see a larger version)

The Snowy Owl extravaganza continues at Montrose. Two birds were seen there over the weekend of December 10-11. I saw and photographed the bird at right on Sunday, December 11. Based on the heavy barring and complete tail bands I think this individual is a female. I’ve been birding for 34 years and this is one of the best years I can remember for Snowy Owls. To date, about 8 different Snowies have been seen at Montrose this fall and winter. The last major invasion of Snowy Owls into Illinois occurred in 1996-97.

An interesting little tidbit about Snowy Owl taxonomy. For a long time the scientific name of Snowy Owl was Nyctea scandiaca. The generic name was changed recently to Bubo, which is the “eagle owl” genus and includes our Great Horned Owl. The thinking is that Snowy Owls are really derived eagle owls, adapted for life on the tundra.

More Snowy Owls!

Snowy Owls

Snowy Owls (click to see a larger version)

This continues to be an exceptional year for Snowy Owls in Illinois. I saw these 2 birds at Montrose this morning, December 7. Both birds were initially on the fishing pier but flew south into the native planting area at the southeast corner of the point and perched together on a sign there. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen 2 Snowy Owls so close to each other before. Both birds appear to be immature males.