Such as the Long-eared at Salisbury?
-----Original Message-----
From: 'Steve Mirick' via NHBirds <nhbirds...>
Sent: Jan 23, 2026 11:20 AM
To: <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.
Just my thoughts,
Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA
On 1/23/2026 9:58 AM, Howard Muscott wrote:
Thank you, Paul and Lynne friendly advice not to list the location of a snowy owl. It may put it at risk. Howard S. Muscott Photography
Amherst, New Hampshire
www.chasingthegoldenlight.com (http://www.chasingthegoldenlight.com)
<hmuscott...> (mailto:<hmuscott...>)
Retired Professor of Education, Rivier University
Retired Director, NH Center for Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports
On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 8:57 PM <pkursewicz...> (mailto:<pkursewicz...>)> wrote:
Some pic's from today taken at Hampton Beach SP.
