Re: [cobirds] snowy owls

Thanks for the input on the snowies.

Had a bunch of finches until the Northern Shrike arrived. Once a shrike sees the finches, it come in and the finches leave.

I don't expect any significant numbers of rosy-finches until the shrikes leave in March.

Just the way it goes.

Scott

On 1/21/2018 5:39 PM, Peter Burke wrote:

Hi Scott,

I've had a few experiences with Snowies during east coast irruptions and noticed that they often chose large bodies of water or coastal areas as daytime hangouts. My working theory was that they prefer the unobstructed view, perhaps 

​because it makes them feel safe when they snooze during the daytime.

Did you get a big Rosy-Finch flock with this weather?

Peter​

From Peter's iPhone

On Jan 21, 2018, at 8:04 AM, Scott <pygmyowl@frii.com> wrote:

Hi all,

I have been thinking about the Snowy Owls that have been seen in Colorado, and am thinking that most, if not all of them have been seen near open water. The one at Stanley Lake, the one that Nick Komar saw near Carter Lake etc.

At least the one at Stanley Lake did not appear to be feeding on the waterfowl, but rather small mammals that it was catching in the meadows around the lake. (I did hear that the owl did catch a pigeon, but that was not confirmed).

Now the owls that are at Boulder, also at a lake.

If the owls were at these bodies of water feeding upon waterfowl, there would be piles of feathers found, but that does not appear to be the case.

Therefore,  my guess is that the Snowy Owls are near the water simply to bathe. By bathing they can keep their plumage clean, which will subsequently keep the birds in good feather condition.

If there had been a significant amount of snow on the ground, the owls would be able to "wash" themselves by using snow; but due to the lack of snow, the owls need to use water to clean themselves.

It will be interesting to see if the owls move away from these bodies of water as the snow falls.

Just a thought,

Scott Rashid
Estes Park

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