Date: 1/23/26 8:20 am From: 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: Re: [NHBirds] Snowy Owl
Many people share the opinion that Snowy Owl locations should not be
disclosed for fear that observers/photographers could put the owl at
risk. I DO NOT SHARE THESE FEELINGS. While there are owls that demand
protection from being flushed (Saw-whet Owl, Long-eared Owl, etc.), the
Snowy Owl is not in the same category. I am not afraid to disclose the
location of a Snowy Owl for the following reasons:
* Snowy Owls choose to roost in the open and are not fearful of
predators. They are at the top of the food chain. If they get flushed,
they might get harassed briefly by a gull, but otherwise are not in any
danger at all from being attacked.
* Flushing a Snowy Owl rarely occurs, but when a birder/photographer/dog
walker flushes a Snowy Owl, they just fly to a different perch nearby.
That's all.
* Contrary to popular belief, these Snowy Owls that come south in the
winter are perfectly healthy. They don't come south from the Arctic
because they are starving. They eat well at Hampton Beach SP and along
the streets of Hampton. They feed mostly at night or near dawn and dusk
and just hang out all day. Take a look at this photo by Ken Faucher of
a Rat that was eaten last week!!!!!! They will also feed on Meadow
Voles and just about all of the ducks and grebes in the ocean. They are
incredible hunters!
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/648903021 * Generally, a Snowy Owl at Hampton Beach State Park is a great location
for beginner birders and photographers to see a wonder of nature and
share with others this occurrence. It's easy to watch a Snowy Owl from
a safe distance and we birders/photographers can police the situation so
that someone doesn't gets too close.
* Finally, there are many, many photographers out there trolling the
coast (especially Hampton Beach SP) all the time looking for Snowy
Owls. In addition, random people on the sidewalk often are the first to
find owls. It is a very rare occasion to see an "unattended" Snowy Owl
on any given day! I often tell people that the key to finding a Snowy
Owl is to search for the big crowds and photographers lined up in the
dunes at Hampton Beach SP. Why not share the location of a Snowy Owl
that everyone else knows about anyway.
To be clear, I certainly don't condone any type of trespassing onto
private property or walking into sensitive dune habitat and again, this
does NOT APPLY TO OTHER OWLS that rely on camouflage and NEED TO STAY
HIDDEN. As a birding community, I think we are all responsible for
educating and policing each other.
