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Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2000
From: Shawneen Finnegan/Paul Lehman
Subject: Snowy Owl at Brigantine
A Snowy Owl was seen by many people today (Saturday) at Brigantine (Forsythe) NWR, primarily along the north dike. The bird may have been present already a couple days. Also reported at Brig today were a Lark Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, American Golden-Plover, a couple late Semipalmated Sandpipers, and a number of White-rumped Sandpipers.
Observers may be interersted to know that there is definitely a major "northern owl" movement taking place to our north. Beginning well back in October, record early numbers of Boreal and Northern Hawk Owls began appearing in Minnesota and northern Michigan. Those areas are, of course, well west of us, and those populations may be totally unrelated to those to our north. HOWEVER, a single Boreal Owl appeared for one day only in Boston about two weeks ago, and I have just learned that an owl banding operation in New Brunswick has netted over 90 Boreal Owls, an operation in southern Maine has had good numbers of Saw-whets and now a single Boreal Owl last night, and there is also a Snowy Owl on the coast of Rhode Island. We will see if this "push" continues south as the winter progresses, or if it fizzles out.... But everyone can start dreaming (and looking!)...
--Paul Lehman