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CHICAGO — The arrival of two magnificent snowy owls along the shores of Lake Michigan has captivated locals, drawing eager crowds who can’t help but wonder how long these Arctic visitors will grace the Windy City with their presence.
For the past week, the sighting of these owls has been the talk of Chicago’s birding community, spreading rapidly through local ornithological forums. Although snowy owls are not strangers to Chicago, their numbers fluctuate significantly each winter. According to the Chicago Ornithological Society, it’s typical to spot a few around December, but some years pass without any sightings at all.
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“Their nomadic lifestyle makes it challenging to predict their movements or even understand their patterns,” remarked Edward Warden, president of the Chicago Ornithological Society, on Sunday. “Where they’ll head next is anyone’s guess.”
This season, two of these striking birds have been observed frequenting a beach and pier near the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary on Chicago’s North Side. Additionally, a third owl made a brief appearance at another beach a few miles to the south, as reported by the society.
The early arrival and extended stay of these snowy owls have sparked speculation about the possibility of an “irruption,” a phenomenon where a large number of these birds migrate into the area. In previous years, such events have seen over a dozen snowy owls appearing across the city.
On Saturday, well over 100 people came out to a concrete pier that juts out into the lake to catch a glimpse. Among them was Sean Clark, a birder and photography enthusiast.
“They were coming and going all day long. It’s amazing that the birds are accepting of that many people,” he said.
The owls did seem rattled, however, by some peregrine falcons that swooped down near them, something Clark was able to capture on his camera. The owls’ yellow eyes grew wide and they flapped their large wings but stayed put.
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Snowy owls live north of the Arctic Circle during the summer. In some years, some of the owls stay north while others migrate to southern Canada and the northern half of the United States in the winter, according to experts. On a global scale, they’ve been considered “vulnerable” – one step from endangered – by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In Chicago, the birds eat a range of things, including small mammals or waterfowl, according to the Chicago Ornithological Society.
Alan Hougton came to see the owls on Saturday, his first time since he started birding five years ago.
“It was awesome,” he said.
Slevin reported from Denver.
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