Are You Willing to Kill For a Better Snowy Owl Photo?

EVERY YEAR SNOWY OWLS DIE FROM TOO MUCH LOVE. THE FRIENDS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GRASSLANDS, FORT EDWARD, NEW YORK SENt THIS WARNING. IMAGE: K. ROHLING THANKS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GRASSLANDS — EVERY YEAR SNOWY OWLS DIE FROM TOO MUCH “LOVE”, INCLUDING THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY. THE FRIENDS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GRASSLANDS, FORT EDWARD, NEW YORK SENT THIS WARNING. IMAGE: K. ROHLING THANKS TO THE FRIENDS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY GRASSLANDS

✔︎ Tips

Who: Silent, patient 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, flushing, getting too close, noise, aggressive driving all contribute to snowy owl deaths. Be considerate.

What is more magical than a snowy owl? In the darkest moment of winter, they appear out of the cold and night, bold and fearless. Then, at the first hint of a thaw - they disappear. Silently.

The sight of a wild snowy owl engraves itself into our hearts; it is unforgettable. But every year too much love kills hundred's of snowy owls and other endangered owls. You or I may have caused their death - accidentally - and never known it.

We have been to and have sent hundreds of nature lovers to the Washington County Grasslands in Fort Edward, New York and other places to see the snowy owls, short-eared owls, and other species. Let's read and heed this important heads-up about responsible snowy owl watching. Let's protect these beautiful birds.

SNOWY OWLS REST ON THE GROUND. YOUR CAR CREATES A PERFECT BLIND TO WATCH THEM WITHOUT STRESSING THE OWLS. IMAGE: GORDON ELLMERS

“We have a Snowy owl that was hit by a bus when it flew into the road to avoid photographers,” reports Wendy Hall, co-director of the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center.

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Laurie LaFond
Grasslands Bird Trust, Inc
518-499-0012 EMAIL: info@ibafriends.org

January 15, 1018 FORT EDWARD, New York

ENDANGERED SHORT-EARED OWLS BREED IN THE ARCTIC BUT WINTER HERE IN NEW YORK. IMAGE: ©GORDON ELLMERS

Snowy owls and Short-eared owls journey south from breeding grounds in the Arctic every year to spend the winter in the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area (IBA). The come seeking abundant populations of the mice, voles and other small prey they depend on for survival.

Thousands of bird watchers and photographers flock to the area soon after. Most of the owls’ fans understand the need to keep a respectful distance, but there are always some who try to get too close.

Recent incidents involving photographers chasing Snowy owls to get close-up photos - and trespassing on private property to do it - have enraged both landowners and owl lovers alike. The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a statement warning that laws protecting the birds will be enforced, and patrols of the area have been increased.

Flushing owls from their roosts or hunting grounds causes the birds to waste energy they need for hunting and staying warm. This can cause or contribute to the bird’s injury or death.

“We have a Snowy owl that was hit by a bus when it flew into the road to avoid photographers,”
reports Wendy Hall, co-director of the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge & Rehab Center.

And we get birds every year that are starving to death because they don’t have energy left to hunt,” she added.

One of the Snowy owls wintering in the IBA was found dead yesterday, possibly hit by a car.

Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences, or VINS, reports two Snowy owl deaths so far this winter. “They were so severely emaciated they died within hours,” says wildlife keeper Grae O’Toole. “Their organs were already shutting down - there wasn’t much we could do.”

O’Toole said VINS usually receives a fair number of starving Barred owls every winter. “Not this year,” she said. “We think the severe cold killed any birds that were struggling before the freeze.”

⚠︎ New Hampshire Audubon developed the following guidelines to observe owls without disturbing them:

· Watch from your car if possible – an automobile makes an excellent blind

· When the bird starts staring at you, you’re too close - it’s time to back up

· Always respect private property and area-closed signs

“While a single incident may not be life-threatening, the cumulative effect of repeated disturbances, which are likely to occur when an owl perches in highly visible, public locations, reduce the likelihood that they will survive to return north to breed.” NH Audubon

End of Press Release

✍︎ A Note from Roberta & Les:
We will be sharing more places to see this magnificent bird - and more information on snowy owl watching best practices. Wild animals and birds have great survival techniques for every natural obstacle except one, us. Let's all work to keep snowy owls and all birds safe and healthy. Spread the word. Thanks.