Birders who didn't get a chance to see a snowy owl during last winter's outstanding irruption may have another opportunity this year. According to CBC News, shifts in the Arctic lemming population may be behind record numbers of appearances of snowy owls in British Columbia recently, and the dozens of sightings could indicate another irruption is underway.
Unfortunately, many birds forced from their typical territories because of food shortages aren't likely to survive, and many snowy owls that have been seen are starving. While it can be distressing to birders who are delighted by the chance to see these birds, there is little that can be done to help the raptors survive, and it is part of the entire bird population's life cycle as nature rebalances itself.
Have snowy owls once again been arriving in your area? Share your sightings in the comments!
Snowy Owl
Photo © Craig Nash
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