Snowy Owl Irruption 2017-2018

It appears winter 2017-2018 may be shaping up to be another spectacular irruption for Snowy Owls. Per Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative bird monitoring coordinator, Ryan Brady, by mid-October Wisconsin was leading the way with 15 Snowy Owls eBirded in 11 counties.

Snowy Owl looking west into the setting sun

We are now a month later and those numbers are climbing. Here are the Wisconsin statistics dating back to the historic 2013-2014 irruption that produced Project SNOWStorm (table courtesy of Ryan Brady):

Wisconsin Snowy Owl stats by Ryan Brady

And here is the Wisconsin DNR's official 2017-2018 Snowy Owl Update with Ryan's contact information if you wish to report a Wisconsin Snowy Owl sighting.

This year's irruption is right on track for the four-year periodicity we often see with Snowy Owl irruptions. According to my friend and Project SNOWstorm team member, David La Puma "evidence of apparent nesting activity (from aerial caribou surveys) suggested high density of breeding pairs akin to 2013 and in similar areas. The expectation is a big SNOW year." Further details regarding 2017-2018's Snowy Owl projections can be found at the Project SNOWstorm Blog.

Thus far this year's wandering owls appear to be mostly hatch-year birds which is consistent with successful breeding reports from the north. These birds have made their first southward migration in search of food. They are hungry and may very well be physiologically stressed. Already there has been a report of dead Snowy Owl in Sheboygan, WI . However many can also fare quite well. We can help by exercising common sense when we come across these owls, giving them the needed space to rest and find food after their journey south.

Even in years of minimal Snowy Owl irruption, Wisconsin seems to host a small number of Snowy Owls that come down to the land of cheeseheads each winter. Since the landmark 2013-2014 irruption and the subsequent annual inundation of Wisconsin Snowy Owl photos posted to social media, it feels quite easy to succumb to taking these majestic birds for granted. Some years my desire to pursue seeing these white beasts is rather subdued. The rise in popularity of bird photography and apparent harassment of these birds has lead me to steer clear of Snowy Owl stakeouts in recent years. Last year I did not see a single Snowy Owl. I checked a few obscure unpopulated haunts, but otherwise gave no effort to seeing or photographing this species. In contrast, this year I am already on my second Snowy Owl sighting with likely more to come. I've seen one each in the two Wisconsin counties where my life list has variable importance depending on my mood, Jefferson and Dane counties.

Snowy Owl chillaxing while a farmer plowed the field around him
Jefferson County 8November2017

I viewed the first of the season in Jefferson County. A friend alerted me to the presence of a fairly cooperative bird near Lake Mills, WI. I could not resist the short chase to add this species to my Jefferson County life list. Though this species has been reported in the county in past years, my efforts to find my own or chase the few birds others found were fruitless during the 12 years I resided in Jefferson county.

Snowy Owl, Dane Co, WI November 2017

On the other hand I already have Snowy owl on my life list for Dane County. However, like many avid birders, every now on and then when the season is ripe I take a ride around nearby agricultural fields in search of big white owls. So was the case the other day when I took a short detour en route home to search for Snowy Owls. I was rewarded with finding an owl perched in green grass along a busy highway. YIKES. It feels so strange to see a bird I associate with white snowy landscapes hanging out in green grass. In addition, it was a bit concerning to find the bird in such a dangerous location. I was quite mindful of the stress my presence could have on the bird. I was also somewhat fearful any wrong move could force the bird to flush into traffic.

I felt a bit on edge while observing the owl not wanting to linger long as this would potentially draw attention. In a higher populated region like the Madison area this can be a recipe for a circus and an enormous disruption to a creature most of us so admire. Remaining in my car, I captured a few images and went on my way...But not before I watched the owl turning its head toward a perceived threat which quickly became apparent.

Snowy Owl eyeing the threat of aggravated Red-tailed Hawks

Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, two Red-tailed Hawks flew in dive-bombing the Snowy and causing the owl to flush toward the nearby prairie. The good fortune of their attack was this was a direction further from the highway. Though it might have made for good photography, I was too distressed to keep shooting while the hawks bombed the owl.

Red-tailed Snowy Owl harasser

The bird assumed a defensive posture hunkering low and spreading its wings. I surmised this was in an effort to appear larger and more threatening. It must have been reasonably effective. The Red-tailed Hawks quickly gave up their pursuit after a few strikes. To my great relief I saw no evidence of the hawks having actually made contact with the owl or having succeeding in inflicting injury.

Snowy Owl in defensive posture

Deeming the scene reasonably safe, it was time to leave. I left the bird feeling comforted it was resting in a more obscured location further from road. However it is difficult not to feel concern that this owl might be taking up a winter territory near a dangerous highway. Although the temptation is present to check its status at a later date, I believe it best to leave the owl be. I hope the best for it. I suspect I may hear more about it when others inevitably notice the big white owl in the green grass. It is definitely a wonder to behold these creatures. I look forward to the coming weekend when I suspect I will encounter more owls on my travels north.