Science
Related: About this forumSnowy owl sightings soar
This is the most significant wildlife event in decades.
For the real snowy owls, researchers say the drive for food is likely behind their increased migrations south. They observed that snowy owls have hatched unusually large clutches last season, up to seven owl chicks compared to the more normal two.
http://earthsky.org/biodiversity/snowy-owl-sightings-soar
xchrom
(108,903 posts)mike_c
(36,281 posts)Unfortunately, there's a pretty cruel thing that happens at the top of those population cycles.
IADEMO2004
(5,559 posts)Marnie
(844 posts)ward, why are the owls moving south?
At the same time seasonally southward migrating birds are over summering further north than usual in recent years.
It would seem that the owls would be finding more rodents and small mammals northward, and there is less competition from other more southerly owls, and mammal predators. Are they praying on migratory birds that are over summering further north?
semillama
(4,583 posts)These owls we are seeing here are victims of their own success; many of the young birds are starving to death due to a combination of inexperience and being in an unfamiliar habitat. Others seem to be doing fine, though. I've seen two of the snowies reported here in Ohio; one was found starved to death and the other is still hanging around the Ashtabula harbor.
If you get a chance to go see one, do it! magnificent birds!
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)They can't go further north, so....
mopinko
(70,216 posts)in chicago. not that unusual for lake michigan shores.
got to get out there.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)AlecBGreen
(3,874 posts)have you seen this?
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)That must be terrifying for many animals.
AlecBGreen
(3,874 posts)Thats what I tell my students. "This is the last thing many creatures see (or dont see!)"