Tag Archives: Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl, Finally, December 17, 2021

Sandhill Crane

Snowy Owl and House Sparrow, December 17, 2021. (click to see the larger version)

Not unexpected but perhaps a bit tardy, the first of what will hopefully be many Snowy Owls made an appearance at Montrose on December 17. Snowies can show up almost anywhere. In the past we’ve seen them on the fishing pier, on the stardocks inside the harbor, on top of light poles, at the beach and Dunes, and on the light tower at the harbor mouth. As always, please be discreet when viewing and photographing these birds and give them plenty of space.

In the picture, note the photobombing House Sparrow, or is the Snowy photobombing the House Sparrow?

Snowy Owl, February 17, 2018

I had a Snowy Owl at Montrose this morning, February 17. This is the first Snowy Owl I’ve seen at Montrose in several weeks, my last sighting being January 21 (see the post below). The bird was at the end of the fishing pier, the first place you should look for Snowies if you visit Montrose to look for them. While I was watching the Snowy, an adventurous (foolish, really) young man walked all the way to the end of the pier and flushed the bird a couple times. Most of the pier is still covered in ice and snow and most definitely treacherous to walk on; a person could easily end up going for a swim in Lake Michigan if not careful. The only other birds of interest I saw this a.m. were a White-throated Sparrow and a Swamp Sparrow, both feeding with House Sparrows near the main entrance to the sanctuary.

Snowy Owls, January 21, 2018

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl (click to see the larger version)

This continues to be a banner winter for Snowy Owls along the Chicago lakefront. This morning, January 21, I had 2 Snowies at Montrose, both at the east end of the beach. One bird was on the fishing pier and the other was on the ice shelves on the beach. Despite the warmup we’re currently experiencing, the fishing pier still has ice in places; if you venture onto it be careful or you could end up in the lake.

eBird Checklist
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S42121020

Snowy Owl, March 21, 2014

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owl (click to see the larger version)

A lone Snowy Owl was still at Montrose this morning, March 21. This bird, probably an immature female based on the heavy and extensive barring, was resting on the ice inside the fishhook pier.

Other birds seen at Montrose this a.m. include several White-winged Scoters on the lake and inside the harbor, 4 northbound Northern Pintails, Greater and Lesser Scaup and Redheads inside the harbor, and 2 or 3 Horned Grebes inside the harbor. I did not see the Red-necked Grebe.

Snowy Owls, March 20, 2014

I had 3 Snowy Owls this morning, March 20, all on the shelf ice at the east end of the beach. I guess they had to come back eventually. All 3 birds were heavily marked and probably immature. Also, they were all very close to each other on the beach, probably within a hundred yard span together.

Probable Snowy Owl Pellet, February 8, 2014

Probable Snowy Owl Pellet

Probable Snowy Owl Pellet (click to see the larger version)

I walked around Montrose on Saturday morning, February 8 for a little while. I didn’t see anything unexpected but I did find a putative Snowy Owl pellet on the revetment just south of the beach. It’s about 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and looks like the remains of a small mammal, perhaps a rat. I’m assuming it’s from a Snowy Owl based on the size of the bolus, the location, and the fact that so many Snowy Owls have been around. The specimen will be donated to the Field Museum.

Followup: Field Museum biologist Josh Engel determined that the remains are from a scaup.