Finding Snowy Owls in New York State!
Updated January 2023 and Sept. 2021 from the original 2017 article
Snowy owls winter in the preserved grasslands of Fort Edward, new york Image: Gordon Ellmers.
January 2023 Update: It seems to be a difficult winter for snowy owls. According to Project SNOWStorm, the 2022 breeding season was very unproductive; researchers are not sure why. And they are concerned with the impact of the “highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) which exploded across North America last winter,” with many snowy owls confirmed dead.
As of late January, the more owls seem to be appearing, Keep posted for more!
All is still from my sheltered vantage point at the edge of the field. Above the Alfred Z. Solomon shelter, pools of clear, bright blue break through the heavy winter sky, turning the white expanse below into a blanket of shimmering diamonds. An icy breeze ruffles the last dry stalks, then disappears into the far tree line and a little mound of snow pounces on something unseen ... What?
Wait a minute - Snow doesn’t pounce.
And that jumping snowball has a big pair of yellow eyes - and they are looking directly at us. Snowy Owl!
Sun peaking through the clouds turns the snow into a diamond studded blanket, the snowy owls snuggle right in, Image: Dr. ©Gordon Ellmers
✔︎ Trip Tips
Who: Quiet Adults and young people no dogs.
When: November - March
Where: The Washington County Grasslands IBA, Fort Edward, N.Y.
What: Birdwatching, Photography
Tip: Aggressive stalking, close proximity, noise, flushing, and aggressive driving all contribute to snowy owl deaths. Please be considerate.
Want to visit? Contact us
The Snowies Are Here!
Snowy owls winter here in New York State, resting in the sleeping fields, feasting on the mice, voles, and other small mammals that inhabit them. The striking white birds arrive in late fall, but before the first buds open on naked branches they will be gone again, as silently and swiftly as they arrived, back to the far north, above the Arctic circle where they breed.
But Remember! Although snowy owls, and other birds and mammals, do not appreciate property boundaries, we must. Please be mindful of people’s privacy as well as their right-of-way on country roads. Do not block roads and driveways. Stay in or near your car, use a good pair of binoculars and let the snowy owls (and short-eared and other raptors) do what they need to do to survive the winter unimpeded. Enjoy!
Snowy owls spend a lot of time on the ground, but you can also find them perching on fence posts or sticks. Image: ©Dr. Gordon Ellmers
Identifying Snowy Owls
Snowy owls, with their almond shaped golden eyes and pure white feathers accented in soft gray bars are, for me, among the most beautiful of all bird species. Look for them on the ground. These solitary creatures will spend most of their time here in the frozen fields, perched on small earth mounds, or on fence posts, where they listen - not watch - for prey. (See below for information on the best viewing spot.)
Snowy owl braves a winter ice storm. Look closely, although they are not the largets owl species, its extra Arctic-ready insulation makes them the heaviest owl. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
Limited Winter Owl & Hawk Tour in the Washington Cty Grasslands.
Feb. 2023
More here
The owls keep warm, alone in the cold and the snow, through ice storms and blizzard conditions, by puffing up their layers of insulation until they resemble golden-eyed snowballs. Bad weather does not bother these birds at all.
Impressive In flight, with a wingspan stretching over five feet (1.5 m), they are not the largest owl species, that honor goes to the great horned owl, but, weighing in at almost four pounds (1.84kg) due to all that extra insulation, snowy owls are the heaviest.
Snowy owl hunts the Washington County Grasslands in Fort Edward, New York: Image: ©Gordon Ellmers.
Found one? Adult male snowy owls can be distinguished by the pristine whiteness of their feathers, females and juveniles have more gray/brown bars. The snowies are impressive, but they are not the only "snow-birds" wintering in Fort Edward's sleeping fields.
Introducing Short-eared Owls!
Once listed as one of New York's most common owls, now there are fewer than 100 short-eared owls left in the state. Fortunately, the grasslands in Washington County, listed by Audubon as an IBA or Important Bird Area, provides the perfect winter habitat for both the "shorties" and snowies. Fort Edward, in the heart of the Washington County Grasslands, is one of the only places left to see this petit endangered owl and is the hope for its survival.
Endangered in New York State, short-eared owls recently returned to winter in Fort Edward’s Washington County Grasslands But owl-lovers creating commotion sends them flying away. See below for best viewing practices. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
“Shorties” unlike “Snowies” winter in groups of two to ten birds. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
You will recognize a short-eared owl by its intense round eyes and startling stare. The big gold eyes have a dark outline that creates an almost bandit-like mask. Short-eared owls are smaller than snowies, and their wing span extends only 33 to 43 inches ( 85 to 110 cm).
And unlike snowies who use their remarkable hearing to locate prey, short-eared owls rely on their impressive eye sight. The “ears” are actually just feathers and are usually flat against their heads - you may never see them at all.
Short-Eared Owls Winter in Groups
Like the snowy, short-eared are also ground nesters and hunters so look for them in the fields, but you can also find them up in the pines, and unlike snowies, they prefer to winter in flocks of two to ten individuals.
WINTER 2023
We have two strictly limited 3-day / 2 night tours to see the wintering owls and other raptors of the Washington County Grasslands, February 2023.
Find More information here or Contact us here
Both owl species are mostly daytime hunters, making them easier to spot than the night hunting screech owls, another winter resident.
Early morning and around dusk are the best times to see the snowy and short-eared owls.
Don’t forget to look for dropped feathers when in owl territory. Native Americans believed that owl feathers hold powerful healing magic. Who knows?
Washington County Grasslands: Cold Season Paradise for Raptors
New York State's Washington County Grasslands is not just a cold season paradise for owls. Other raptors, such as the red tailed, the threatened Northern harrier, and rough legged hawks, as well as the smaller but equally scrappy falcons: merlin and peregrine all winter here, and "shop" the same fields as the owls. Watching these acrobatic birds soar and dive or finding them perched high on skeleton trees, with their broad shoulders firm against the wind and their eyes at the ready for movement in the grass, is awe-inspiring.
Red-tailed hawks are year-round residents, they hunt in many of the same Fort Edward fields as the owls.. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
The Rough-legged hawk arrives from its Arctic breeding area to winter in the grasslands in and around Fort Edward, New York. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
One of Fort Edward's best spots to watch the owls and other raptors is the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area. Here there is a sheltered blind and a handicapped accessible parking lot.
Watch hawks and short-eared owls swoop and dive and compete for small mammals hidden among the frozen grasses on the rolling fields. Look on the ground for snowball mounds of snowy owls. Snowies tend to be quite still then jump at their prey as it runs by.
The shelter also provides a great place to practice your avian and wildlife photography! And remember you are always invited to share your experiences and images with our readers!
The Grassland Bird Trust protected acres in the heart of Washington County Grasslands at Fort Edward, NY is a refuge for threatened raptors, the Northern harrier. Image:: ©Gordon Ellmers
Little Winter Jewels: Cardinals, Larks, Buntings, and More!
Winter's big charismatic residents are attention grabbers, but do not overlook the delicate, tiny migrants like snow buntings and horned larks. You will find those in the snow on the ground too. There are also the intrepid year ‘rounders including robins and starlings. Tiny bluebirds, another of my favorites, over winter here. Northern cardinals are also constant residents and so beautifully festive among the icy bare branches.
Fun Fact. Those imports from an English garden, the European starling, is a more accurate spring forecast than a ground hog. Look at their beaks. In winter the beaks are dark and dull looking, when they start changing to bright yellow, you know spring is right around the corner!
Being A Responsible Bird Watcher
Short-eared owl is actually quite petit, at slightly more than half the size of a snowy. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
When it comes to best practices for responsible owl watching, frankly, the web site of The Friends of the Washington County Grasslands said it best:
It's All About Survival
"Short-eared owls, a New York State endangered species, nest and roost on the ground. The owls emerge from the tall grasses where they hide and rest around dusk each day to hunt for mice and voles. The sight of a dozen or more "Shorties" flying low over a field is a spectacle you'll never forget - but for them it's all about survival. Disturbing nesting and roosting birds is harmful - and illegal.
People walking near their roosting sites causes them to fly up from their hiding places, wasting energy they need to stay warm and hunt. It can also cause them to abandon their roost site. "
A Local Shares an Owl Watching Horror Story:
This is note that I received from a local in regard to NOT responsible owl watching tells it all:
Pardon if I get too crazy on this topic of scaring the birds, but when the Short-Eared Owls showed up last fall on XXXX (don't mention that street please) about 25 cars showed up every day ... the neighbors went crazy, there was yelling and screaming. Some folks brought dogs and children to flush out the birds for photos ... and 3 days later the birds moved 500+ yards back where it's just too far away to see them, and then moved elsewhere. A Park Ranger marked the area No Trespassing and he sat there all day for weeks to enforce it. Now, a few months later, I still drive that road daily, and have not seen any kind of bird but crows in a week. I hope you understand.
We do, My Friend.
Responsible Owl Watching Guidelines:
Three short-eared owls on a fence post in the Washington D+County Grasslands IBA. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
1. Avoid flushing or otherwise purposely disturbing wildlife
2. NEVER purposely chase wildlife!
3. Keep a respectful distance from nests and young
4. Stay on existing roads, trails, or pathways
5. Know and observe the laws, rules, and regulations governing the site
6. Stay in your vehicle (when viewing from the road), it serves as a blind and often allows for closer and longer observations without disturbing wildlife.
7. Be considerate of others around you (and neighboring landowners).
While the DEC encourages people to enjoy watching wildlife in the Washington County Grasslands Wildlife Management Area and other public lands, they ask that you do so in a way that protects wildlife, especially endangered and threatened species.
REMEMBER: Purposely disturbing, flushing, or chasing an endangered or threatened species is harassment and is ILLEGAL.
If you witness such activity please document it and report it to the DEC Dispatch (1-877-457-5680)
Dawn and dusk are the best times to watch the raptors hunt. During the day you may find them like this snowy owl, drowsy and puffed up against the cold, resting in the sun. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
Where to See Snowy & Short-eared Owls
Fort Edward is in the heart of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA), 286 acres bought from or donated by local farmers for the preservation of the endangered bird and mammal species that call it home or migrate through. Start there in the blind set up exactly for the purpose, but also be prepared to drive slowly stopping along the road, to look out over fields still-farmed.
The Grassland Bird Trust runs periodic tours and events all year. Contact them or us to find out what is going on at the time you will be there.
To get a feel for why this place is special watch the video below.
The Towpath Road a 4-mile graveled stretch along the Feeder Canal in nearby Kingsbury, New York, is thought to be some of the best birding (and other small mammal) watching in New York State. Here you can also see some of the water birds, such as the common golden eye ducks, mergansers and mallards that winter in the area. You may do better walking along the road in the winter rather than driving.
The Alfred Z. Solomon Viewing Area on the Grassland Bird Trust lands in Fort vEdward offers a wonderful spot to watch without intruding - but use common sense. Leave pets at home and teach children the importance of stillness and quiet. And always remember their interest limits. Image: ©Gordon Ellmers
Getting Away to Washington County, New York !
Need a weekend remedy from urban winter? Fort Edward is a great secret escape from city life, but don’t tell anyone!
Logistics: Getting There
Glen Falls-Fort Edward is approximately a three and a half hour drive from Manhattan. Or relax and look out at the scenery in comfort with an Amtrak ride to Fort Edward-Glen Falls station then pick up a car from the local Enterprise dealership to explore the area.
THE FORT EDWARD-GLEN FALLS TRAIN STATION AND DELI. IMAGE THANKS TO THE FORT EDWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Cuisine
My favorite place for dinner when I am in Fort Edward is the Anvil Inn Restaurant. The food is good, reasonably priced and the atmosphere is warm and friendly! The building was originally built in 1840 as a blacksmith shop. Do not miss it for lunch or dinner. Do not pass up the cranberry pudding for desert! It is a house specialty and worth the drive to Fort Edward.
In near-by Glens Falls deciding which of the fabulous, farm-to-table restaurants to try first, most have owner/chefs, is a real issue, you may have to add a day or two to your stay to try a few more.There is pride and love in every bite served. All these restaurants are walking distance from the locally-owned Queensbury Hotel, my favorite in the region. Relax and enjoy a world-class meal after a day in the Grasslands! These are a few of my must-go-to restaurants:
Morgan and Co. Hint: sit on the porch or if it is warm, under the trees. I have had incomparable meals with my husband as well as taken groups of 12 birders. Taking a group? Ask them to create a prix fix menu for you.
Farmacy Restobar Tiny restaurant with a big heart for brunch and dinner. Unusual - delicious - menu with treats for carnivores as well as the vegan and vegetarian members of your party.
Radicci: Right next door to Farmacy, Radicci specializes in amazingly delicious Italian food
Up for a burger or salad, or a shared plate of buffalo cauliflower or yummy fried pickles with a brewed-on-premises British-style pint? Davidson Bros is my go-to. That tiny-tike coming in and out of the kitchen is owner’s son. Say hello for us.
THE ANIVIL INN AT FORT EDWARD, BUILT IN 1840, IS A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR DINNER AND CONVERSATION WITH THE LOCALS! IMAGE: THANKS TO THE FORT EDWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Staying There
After a day of birding my favorite thing to do is to get warm and cozy in a local inn. Below are two of our favorites plus a wonderful, locally owned full service hotel with a century of history. They are all in nearby Glen Falls ( we told you Fort Edward was a secret!)
The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls
Built in 1926, The Queensbury Hotel, with 113 fully appointed rooms and 11 suites, recently came back under local ownership. Owner Ed Moore, a Glen Falls businessman, together with his son Zachary and their partner Tyler Herrick and their team of local architects are dedicated to bringing the grand old lady back to her former splendor. Amenities include an indoor pool, lovely bar/lounge, gorgeous renovated lobby with original details from 1926, nightly music and a restaurant and a pub. Personally, I love Fenimore’s Pub for a meal or drink without leaving the hotel.
The Bell House Inn:
Bill and Cora, know how to make you feel welcome at the beautiful Bell House Inn. Their spacious four rooms all have private baths and sitting areas. Breakfast is cooked to order and includes choices such as organic eggs, yogurt parfait, fresh fruit, and pastries. Coffee is available 24 hours a day. Good conversation is included with your accommodations.
The Lant Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast, Argyle New York
For a true responsible country get-away and a soul enriching experience, the Lant Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast is a perfect choice. The 100+ acre organic farm offers a warm welcome and an abundance of hospitality but only two rooms - so book ahead. Both rooms come with fabulous mountain views and private baths. Breakfast is a farm-to-table experience and there is a big fireplace to chase away the chill of a day spent watching snowy owls! Your hosts Sue Kowaleski and Don Previtali are affiliated with Friends of the IBA as well as The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. NOFANY.org; NYS Tree Farm, and the Washington County Tourism Association.
Enjoy your snowy owl get-away - and do not forget to tell us about your adventures!
Planning for next year's snowy owl weekend? Let us know, we will help.
More Snowy Owls & NY State Birding
Special Thanks to:
Thanks to the good folks of Fort Edward, New York, many of whom prefer to remain anonymous, for their help in preparing this article.
Dr. Gordon Ellmers for generously allowing us the use of his wildlife photography. Follow him on Facebook
Laurie LaFond, Founder and Executive Director The Grasslands Bird Trust
The Fort Edward Magazine and The Fort Edward Chamber of Commerce.
SNOWY OWLS WILL BE HEADING BACK TO THEIR ARCTIC BREEDING GROUNDS SOON. HEAD UP TO FORT EDWARD NOW, OR MAKE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR. SEND US A NOTE. WE WILL HELP YOU EXPERIENCE THESE WONDERFUL BIRDS IN THE MOST FUN AND RESPONSIBLE WAY. IMAGE: GORDON ELLMERS
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