Snowy Owls - Ravenshoe Sideroad

Photos by BarrytheBirder

One of my favourite spots for Snowy Owls is the Ravenshoe Sideroad,

(north of Newmarket and just south of Keswick) west of Leslie Street.   I have seen and taken pictures of Snowy Owls on this road many times over the years, but none so far this year.   'Snowies' normally breed in northern Alaska and northern Canada.   They can winter in southern Canada and to the northernmost United States, and even further south, particularly when snows are very deep in the north.

Males are nearly all-white or with scattered dark bars above and below, and females have more barring than males.

They are easily spotted along the Ravenshoe Sideroad because they like to perch on top of the many utility poles, barns or sheds with peak roofs, tops of fir trees or isolated fence posts.

On Sunday, December 21, My partner Pat and I drove the Ravenshoe Sideroad and counted three other vehicles slowly looking for 'Snowies'.   We'll try again in the new year.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder