A Snowy Owl joined us at Stratford Point today after showing up in neighboring Milford, Connecticut yesterday. The species is annual at Stratford Point with the coastal grasslands property, the mouth of the Houstatonic River, the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and the mile-long Long Beach and Pleasure Beach offering various nearby feeding and resting areas. It is a very attractive section of the Atlantic Coast for Snowys on the move or looking for a place to spend a chunk of their winter. Hoping to keep it around all day (and we were successful!) I kept the picture-taking to a minimum and a very safe distance.
The bird was very active, moving around the south shore of Stratford Point several times, always watching its surroundings and not trying to take a nap. Dozens and dozens of birders and visitors arrived throughout the day to enjoy the bird, and thank you for coming down! It may be around tomorrow or it may move on to a different area, even if it is still local…or it could be here for the next couple of months. We do not know, but we will let you know if we see it here hanging out with us again.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
