A Snowy Winter

Female Snowy Owl

One of the many perks to surviving the cold Canadian winters in the Ottawa area are the owls that come down from the north in search of food. When their food is in shortage or there isn't enough space for owls making territories up north many (mostly juveniles) move south in search of 'greener pastures'.

Female Snowy Owl

Really what they find are snow covered farm fields along the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers down to the Kingston area.  Last year Ottawa saw a lot of boreal species of owls including great gray, hawk owl and boreal owls. This year over 42 snowy owls have been seen in the Ottawa area. These owls are one of the heaviest owls in North America.

Juvenile Male Snowy Owl

Birding for these diurnal (daytime) owls is one of the easiest ways to look for birds. Drive down country back roads keeping an eye for a large white bird on a telephone pole or in the middle of a field. Even on cold cloudy days you can see them along roadsides and in farmers fields from the warmth of a car. I was lucky enough to see 4 of them in one morning/afternoon, but other days I was not so lucky.

The big bright yellow eyes are characteristic of diurnal (daytime) owls. Females are larger and more patterned than males which can appear completely white as adults.These birds will soon be returning north to create breeding territories and make their nests (which they create on the ground) in early spring.  I am always very excited to see when these spectacular birds will return to Ottawa next.

Juvenile Male Snowy Owl