Friday, December 2, 2011

A SNOWY OWL in Brattleboro!

Talking about a possible Snowy Owl irruption in the Northeast, great news this morning on VTBird: Hector Galbraith had sighted a Snowy Owl on the cornfield behind the Marina Restaurant on the West River in Brattleboro, just about 3 miles from my house. I dropped everything, jumped into my car and joined several birders who were already there.The owl was perched about 50 yards from the kayak shed and parking lot.






Uncropped view, about 10 AM












The owl didn't stay there. 



Half hour later it flew to the opposite corner of the field and, when I returned at about 3PM, it was sitting in a tree on a slope bordering the wetland at the far edge. I took this photo from behind the stores on the Aubuchon Plaza above the field. 




Shortly after the owl took off and flew to perch on a log in the West River. Just as I got there it took off again and seemed to disappear into the woods above the Retreat on the other side of the river near  Rte 30. On a hunch  I decided to drive to the parking lot in back of Retreat to look down on the water from above and found it again perching on some brush in the water. 




it was about 4 PM. The light was fading.  Maybe it will still be in the general area in morning. I will do a check and leave a message on VTBird  one way or the other.


Good Birding!


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28 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlDecember 2, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    that would be such an amazing bird to see! congrats to you!

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  2. KellyDecember 2, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    ...so beautiful, Hilke!! I hope he sticks around! I visited Chris' blog earlier and saw he caught sight of him also. An incredible bird...

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  3. Kathie BrownDecember 2, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Hilke, what a find! The one I saw today was a lifer for me. How about you? BTW, I've added a link to this post on my blogpost scheduled to post tomorrow. I'm trying to find any other blogs that might have photos of snowy owls. Bill Sheenhan has a photo posted on Northern Maine birds also.

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  4. Carole M.December 2, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    just fabulous; a great opportunity close to home. Rather special, excursions of that nature and beautiful photos. Such a lovely bird...

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  5. ArijaDecember 3, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    What a wonderful sighting! Kathie at http://kathiesbirds.blogspot.com/ has one too. How I wish I could see one too in this lifetime! It is so exciting to have an irruption of then in the New England states.

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  6. eileeninmdDecember 3, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    Congrats Hilke! The Snowy owls are beautiful birds. I am hoping to see one in Maryland again this year. Beautiful photos.

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  7. Hilke BrederDecember 3, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Update: NO SNOWY OWL this morning at 7 AM :-(
    Thank you all for your comments!

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  8. Harold StiverDecember 3, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Well done!! I'm just heading out to our local airport to see if any showed up there.

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  9. Kenneth Cole SchneiderDecember 3, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    I'm green with envy, having never seen one!

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  10. Jen SanfordDecember 3, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Very nice!! I just had my first on Plum Island on Monday. I was thrilled- such a gorgeous bird. Love the photos of it over the water....

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  11. theconstantwalkerDecember 3, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    A wonderful bird to see Hilke... great images.

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  12. AFTERMATHDecember 4, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    OOoooooo! Nice going, Hilke! Some girls have all the luck. There are lots of them being reported here along coastal Maine, irruptives. But, I have yet to get one. Rats. Ya, maybe I should get some rats........which was done a few years ago with a Northern Hawk Owl. Not recommended. Just pout like I do and say "Rats." Don't actually bring rats to the party. So, I guess maybe that bird was Merry Christmas to you, eh? Congrats on a great bird.

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  13. GuyDecember 4, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Hi Hilke

    I just loved the first shot of the owl perched out over the river. It was really unexpected.

    Guy

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  14. AnonymousDecember 5, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Ohhhh! I am speechless. Thank you so much for sharing. He is incredible!

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  15. Nature RamblesDecember 6, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    How exciting that must have been! It's beautiful!

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  16. PatDecember 6, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    What a great photo op! He looks so self-satisfied.

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  17. mickDecember 6, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Great photos of a very beautiful bird. Well worth dropping everything to go and see it and photograph it.

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  18. UnknownDecember 6, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    You're lucky to see the Snowy!! Great shots. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  19. Modesto ViegasDecember 6, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Good capture!

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  20. SpringmanDecember 7, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    So much like a ghost! Your instincts were right on the money. The looks you found are amazing, the stubble field and the water shots have a great sense of mystery about them. I can almost hear your heart pounding. Good luck finding him again!

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  21. Brian KingDecember 7, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Very cool! I love the shots of it in the field and on the river. The scenery is wonderful!

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  22. J WhittyDecember 7, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    What a treat!

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  23. Blossom VydrinaDecember 7, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    so excited for the irruption! love the shots over the river

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  24. John @ Beans and I on the LooseDecember 7, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    Wonderful. Great too for being 50 yards out. Someday maybe I might see one let alone film it.

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  25. chasityDecember 8, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    he is so beautiful....
    that would have been super exciting to see!

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  26. NatureFootstepDecember 11, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    this owl is definitively on my wishlist. It is so beautiful. To see it would be a great gift.

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  28. AnonymousAugust 27, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    Liebe Hilke, die schneeeule ist wirklich sehr schoen,ich bin auf Deine website gegangen in der Hoffnung, eine aktuelle mailadresse oder telefonnummer zu finden.
    bitte melde Dich. Theas emailadresse ist baratta1108@yahoo.com.
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    ReplyDelete

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