Farewell ye Snowies

There's been an uptick of Snowy Owl numbers on the Bruce in the last few weeks. On most days, with little effort, one can easily spot several on the Ferndale Flats between Wiarton and Tobermory - easier since fields turned brown.

There has been a steady turnover of birds since the solstice, presumably a result of migrating northbound birds.

 March 17, Pike Bay Road.

March 17, Little Pike Bay Road.

April 1, Little Pike Bay Road.

More on spring movements of Snowy Owls, as revealed through satellite telemetry, from Project Snowstorm.

Snowy Owl in Terrace Bay

Snowy owls are much easier to spot at this time of year. This one was seen today at the defunct Terrace Bay airport/dragstrip today.

It's worth noting that this location is a must-stop for birders passing through the north shore. Situated right beside the TCH, just a little bit east of Terrace Bay, it ceased to operate as an airport some years ago and it now sees very limited use as a dragstrip each august. Birdwise, it offers the best piece of pseudo-tundra in the region and so is attractive to Rough-legged Hawks, Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs that have just passed over vast stretches of boreal forest or rocky coastline.

A few new arrivals...

[click on images to enlarge]

Evening Grosbeak in Marathon

Greg Stroud and John Schelling turned up a Snowy Owl at the Chippewa Landfill in Thunder Bay today.

Photo courtesy of John Schelling