chapter 336

Snowy Owl

2/12/2014

noise, what noise

link to my Snowy Owl folder (40 pics)

Why does the cute little arctic Snowy Owl perch at the Albany International Airport? Because he wants to eat and this is a good spot for him.

It's not just my theory, research for this book explains that the owls predator rivals , cannot hear their prey; small rodents making noise under the snow around airports. The Snowy can hear their prey next to a 747.

I also postulate that because the Red Tailed Hawk is an enemy and competitor of this owl, the plane noise might not be conducive to the hawk hunting success. The Red Tailed Hawk emits a screech, apparently to mark it's territory but I would expect it is also an aid to scaring the rodents into a panic run and revealing themselves. As a youngster out back by the free range chicken pullets, I got a kick out of watching them all run under the shelter when I practiced my shrill whistle.

Its rare for these owls to be so far south of their native habitat near the Arctic Circle. I've never seen them before but the guys in the photo club have been driving too Nova Scotia and Boston's logan Airport to photograph them. Now they are here and I guess everywhere. This news link describes tracking them  on their 7000 mile round trip from the Arctic to Boston and back.

I found these owls so intriguing and especially with my years long experiences associated with the Airport.

Found a pair of adult Bald Eagle males overlooking the Cohoes Falls today at about 15 degrees temp.

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