Snowy Owl Invasion!

Snowy Owl Invasion!

Juvenile nonfiction
"Over the next week [biologist David] Brinker noticed that bird
watchers on line were reporting an unusual number of snowy owl
sightings in Canada. The reports from the Cape Race area were
amazing: 43 snowy owls, or snowies, spotted on November 23; 138 on
December 1; and 206 on December 8. According to Ken Knowles, a
birding tour leader in that area, 'It's rare to see more than ten
snowy owls in an entire winter. Within this short time, I saw more
than I'd seen in 30 years.'"
What was going on? You'll learn in Sandra Markle's Snowy Owl
Invasion!
In the winter of 2013-2014 there was an irruption (when
migrating animals invade areas outside of their usual range) of snowy
owls. There may have been an unusually high number of the birds,
causing some to have to travel further to find untaken feeding
grounds. (Not only did they venture further south, some left the
wilds for human turf.) String spring winds are another possible reason
for the phenomenon.
Scientists saw this irruption as a wonderful opportunity.
Banding birds and outfitting them with transmitters allowed them to
make interesting discoveries. The narrative is fascinating. The
photographs of snowies are totally awwwww inspiring.
On a personal note, I am deeply grateful that the semester is over and
we are on the brink (graduation tomorrow) of summer break. I have all
next week off from paid work. Then, instead of school and work, I
have only work. In other words, much more time for Joey. I'd made a
huge list of plans before I knew. But you know what they say about
the best laid plans of mouse and (hu)man?
A great big shout out goes out to the best little cat in the world who
is napping in his cat cave in the studio.
jules hathaway


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