In general owls continue to
dominate the birding scene in eastern Ontario and the Outaouais region. Over
this past weekend a total of 8 species were recorded with the Snowy Owl still
the top attraction. Most reports came from the regular winter sites including
just south of the Ottawa Airport. One interesting fact that I wasn't really
aware of is that these typically diurnal owls are hunting at night too. I
observed my first Snowy Owl during the daylight hours in the winter of
1969/70.
Over the years, I only
experienced this bird feeding during the day and never considered looking for
them at night. On February 7 at
7:00pm I counted 3 along Terry Fox Drive and Huntmar Road as they were perched
on telephone poles. Again on February 9 at 11:30pm
2 were hunting in the area
of the Canadian Tire Centre. This evening Ben and I again observed 3 Snowy Owls hunting near the Canadian Tire Centre at between 9:30-11:30pm.
I must conclude that since these owls inhabit the
arctic during their breeding season and some do spend their winters north, it only
makes sense that they must hunt 24/7 if need be! One of the most
fascinating aspects of birding is that no matter how many years you've studied birds you're always learning something new!
Good birding,
Bruce
During the 1970's and 1980's I regularly went out owling at night but never observed a Snowy Owl. |
I found a small number of Snowy Owl hunting at night this winter and finally realized this diurnal owl hunts at night like any other nocturnal owl species. |
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