Snowy owls look for habitats that mimic the Arctic tundra where they spend most of their lives, such as large salt marshes, extensive agricultural fields, and even airports. Popular sighting locations include Westport, New Bedford, Nantucket, Orleans,
duxbury beach
, and
plum island
, according to Mass Audubon.
When can you see snowy owls in Massachusetts?
With a striking
white exterior
accented by dark markings and a wingspan that can measure close to five feet, the Snowy Owl is often sought out by
winter birders
. “Snowies” typically arrive in Massachusetts around November and then head back north to their Arctic breeding ground in April.
Do snowy owls live in Massachusetts?
Some of the most common Snowy Owl sightings in Massachusetts include Salisbury, Crane’s Estate and Crane’s Beach in Ipswich, Plum Island in Newburyport, Duxbury and the Cape and the Islands.
What owls are found on Cape Cod?
Here in our part of the world, we are most likely to encounter either the huge and imposing Great Horned Owl or the little and adorable Eastern Screech Owl Great Horneds remain paired and somewhat
vocal year round
, but they are especially talky leading up to their nesting season, which begins in January.
What is the best time to see a Snowy Owl?
Several owls, such as burrowing owls, short-eared owls, and snowy owls, are more active during the day than most other owl species. The best time of day to see owls is at dawn or dusk when these birds are more easily spotted and more active.
Where can you see snowy owls?
Look for Snowy Owls sitting on or near the ground in wide-open areas They often perch on rises such as the crests of dunes, or on fenceposts, telephone poles, and hay bales. When they fly they usually stay close to the ground.
How long do Snowy Owls stay in Massachusetts?
They generally leave in early April; though in the winter of 2013-14 two owls stayed between Logan airport and the Boston Harbor Islands through the summer and fall and winter of the following year. This was the first time Snowy Owls were recorded in Massachusetts as resident owl species consistently for over a year.
Are there Snowy Owls in Boston?
Snowy owls arriving in Massachusetts tend to seek local habitats that mimic the Arctic tundra where they spend most of their lives. Popular sightings include Westport, New Bedford, Nantucket, Orleans, Duxbury Beach, and of course, Plum Island A snowy owl was recently spotted in the Middlesex Fells Reservation!.
Where can you see owls in Massachusetts?
Better places to observe a Snowy Owl in Massachusetts are Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Plum Island and Newburyport, Crane Beach and Duxbury Beach and various undeveloped beaches on Cape Cod and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Snowy Owls hunt day or night.
Where in the US can you see Snowy Owls?
Winter numbers of Snowy Owls in the U.S. peak periodically, which may be attributed to lemming cycles farther north. During irruptive years, Snowy Owls can flush south throughout the lower 48 states, as far as south as Texas and Florida in extreme years.
What is the most common owl in Massachusetts?
Great Horned Owl They have broad rounded wings and a deep hooting call. It is one of the most common owls in North America and lives in most habitats from forests to deserts, cities, or grasslands.
Are there barn owls on Cape Cod?
Even distant islands such as the Galapagos and Australia* have Barn Owls. (*Yes, I know Australia is more commonly thought to be a continent and not an island, but that’s for the geography nerds to sort out.) These owls are seen just about everywhere except for one important location … Cape Cod.
What owl hoots 3 times?
The great horned owl’s hoot is pretty much unmistakable, although ornithology web sites often describe it in different ways. A common hooting pattern is a longer hoooooot, followed by two or three shorter hoots.
How do I identify an owl?
- Size: Is the owl large or small? .
- Eyes: What color are the bird’s eyes? .
- Facial Disk: How wide is the owl’s facial disk? .
- Bill: What color is the bird’s bill? .
- Plumage: What color is the bird’s overall plumage? .
- Ears: Does the owl have ear tufts on its head?
Are snowy owls nocturnal?
The Arctic summer forces snowy owls to hunt by daylight. Unlike most owls that are nocturnal, snowy owls are diurnal.
Where are the snowy owls on Plum Island?
Just beyond Lot 1 (B), Snowy Owls are occasionally seen in the dunes to the left and marsh to the right.
Is Audubon mass open?
As we enter the warm summer months, all of our wildlife sanctuaries are open and alive with people and wildlife This is the result of an unprecedented investment supported by our donors, volunteers, and staff.
Are there great gray owls in Massachusetts?
Great Gray Owls are one of the largest owls in Massachusetts ! If you’re lucky enough to see one, they are stunning raptors.
How rare is it to see a snowy owl?
With only an estimated 30,000 snowy owls left in the world, it’s extremely rare to see the vulnerable species out in the wild. Seeing one in an urban setting is especially extraordinary considering they spend most of their lives in the remote Arctic.
Where do Snowy Owls go during the day?
When some of them come farther south, they seek out areas that look similar to their Arctic territory: prairies, wide-open fields, beaches, lake edges And yes, they stay in open areas at all times of day and night.
Do Snowy Owls stay white all year?
For the entire year, Snowy Owls live in cold environments where snow is common. But do they stay white all year long? Snowy Owls stay white all year long They take advantage of the reflectiveness of their white feathers to create a beacon, signaling the edge of their territory to competitors.
Sources
https://www.capecodtimes.com/picture-gallery/news/2021/12/14/snowy-owls-west-dennis/8893090002/
https://www.capeandislands.org/in-this-place/2021-12-15/its-everyones-favorite-snowy-white-visitor
https://www.capeandislands.org/science-environment/2017-03-08/owls-of-the-cape-and-islands
https://www.facebook.com/CapeCodBirdClub/photos/snowy-owl-on-west-dennis-beach-on-wednesday/1858752927471617/