Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January 1, 2014 More Snowy Owls sightings in eastern Ontario.

Hi Everyone
The Snowy Owl southward movement continues with more sightings from various areas in eastern Ontario. On December 26th  I observed 10+ in the Winchester area and yesterday 5 were found behind the Ottawa Airport. On the Massena -Cornwall CBC at least 3 were found. The overall total for eastern Ontario is now reaching 150 birds. This is unprecedented as far as I know for this region. Over the years there has been concentrated areas or "hot spots" like Wolfe or Amherst Island. With all of the sighting south of eastern Ontario there must be 100's of Snowy Owls in Ontario. I have found the best time to look for these owls is late day or on overcast days. Check all the telephone poles, fence posts, buildings in open farm land areas and tree tops.

Good birding,
Bruce


Directions: If you require additional information please email me privately.

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www.dilabiobirding.ca
http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com



Telephone poles are one of the favourite vantage points for the Snowy Owl.

Surprisingly Snowy Owls  can blend to their surrounds while sitting on top of telephone poles and easily be over looked.  


Check any high perch for these owls. 

January 1, 2014 Snowy Owl irruption continues!

Hi Everyone
The Snowy Owl southward irruption continues in eastern Ontario. Since early December the numbers have been slowly increasing with a noticeable movement on December 8th when a combined total of 25 individuals were observed in the Richmond and Casselman-Hawkesbury areas. Sightings continue to be reported all over eastern Ontario including concentrations in the Kingston area including both Wolfe and Amherst Island, Presqu'ile Provincial Park, Cobden, Winchester-Chesterville and along the St.Lawrence River from Cornwall to Brockville. This is likely the largest southward and most widespread movement of Snowy Owls in the past 4 decades. Based on reports, I estimate between 100-130+ Snowy Owls are either present or have passed through eastern Ontario moving further south in search of food. This movement coincides with a large movement in Newfoundland and in north-eastern United States. Please remember to review OFO's birding code of ethics. http://www.ofo.ca/ofo-docs/Code_of_Ethics.pdf

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
Good birding,
Bruce


Directions: If you require additional information,please email me privately.

Di Labio Birding Website
Courses and Field Trips
http://www.dilabiobirding.ca
http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com



Look for Snowy Owls as they perch on telephone poles, fence posts or on structures  scanning the surrounding fields for prey. 



Snowy Owl numbers continue to increase in eastern Ontario.