Local snowy owl population

Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers are getting a treat this winter because the typically hard to spot snowy owl is becoming easier to find. Our camera’s caught one perched on top of a Hamilton Mountain home and experts are saying there are more snowy owl’s around than usual.

Even though I was protected by a cage, the sight of a large snowy owl flying my way was a bit nerve wracking.

Annick Gionet Rollick: “They can take a duck, as well as gulls. They also will enjoy some rabbit.”

Here at the owl foundation in Vineland, they’ve taken in a dozen injured snowy owls in the last month. Unfortunately, four of them died.

Annick:  “Currently we’re housing about 115 owls on premises, 37 of those are under rehabilitation.”

Annick says there are 11 different species of owls in Ontario, like this Great Horned Owl.

This snowly owl seems perfectly content watching over this Hamilton Mountain neighborhood.

Annick:  “Snowy owls it’s always a nice treat because they’re not that common, in the winter you’ll see one or two each year.  There are more snowy owls in Southern Ontario right now because last year was a very good breeding year for them. They are beautiful to look at, but make no mistake, these are predatory birds.  During the seasons where you do see a bird of prey in your area, make sure you’re with your pet, especially at night time. We don’t recommend those little chihuaha being taken out at night without supervision.”

The snowy owls’ breeding ground is in the Arctic Tundra of Northern Canada, and they’ll be migrating there in March.