7 January 2024
It’s been 10 years because the spectacular winter of 2013-2014 when snowy owls irrupted within the Decrease 48 States. That winter they invaded the Northeastern U.S. and traveled as far south as coastal North Carolina, Florida and Bermuda!
This 12 months a number of snowies are visiting the Nice Lakes area however the one focus of owls is in western Canada. You may see the distinction of their eBird sightings in these maps of 2013-2014 versus 2023-2024. (Click on right here to see the eBird Discover map.)
In 2013-2014 there have been so many snowy owls that photographers typically noticed peregrine falcons attacking them. Steve Gosser captured this nonetheless shot at Presque Isle State Park in December 2013.

Tom Johnson filmed two peregrines harassing snowy owls at Stone Harbor, New Jersey in January 2014.
It was additionally a snowy climate winter. 2013-2014 was very chilly with enduring snow on the bottom due to the “Polar Vortex.”
This winter is far hotter — a lot in order that yesterday’s snow melted in a single day (seen on the Pitt peregrine nestbox).

This winter we’re lacking each snowies and snow.
(credit are within the captions)