Snow White Owls have recently been reported as far south as South America, concerning the population.
The Snowy Owl is usually seen far north, as they prefer colder climates. This year there have been numerous spottings of them outside their natural climate zone, some being seen as far south as South America, reports UPI>.
Larry Clarfeld form the North Branch Nature Center of Vermont explains however that in their Arctic breeding grounds, lemmings are the main food source for the Snowy Owl. This previous year there were so many lemmings in the Arctic that it caused a boom in the Snowy Owl population. Now, however, there is a large number of owls and a depleted population of lemmings left. This has forced many of the young owls to travel farther (and south) for food, reports CBS 6> of Central Virginia.
The phenomenon is called irruption, irruption occurs when there is an abrupt increase in a species numbers when natural ecological balances are disturbed.
New England residents will now be seeing the birds in mass as they travel back north to the arctic. Unfortunately, local birds such as the jay are intimidated by birds of pray, and will band together to attack the owls until they leave. Clarfeld believes this will also be intensified as most of the songbirds have recently built their nests and will be naturally more protective than at other times of the year.