A rare snowy owl made an appearance in Shirley Chisholm State Park over the holiday weekend, attracting a crowd of photographers, birders, and wildlife enthusiasts. This sighting marked the first time a snowy owl had been spotted in New York City in years. David Barrett, a birder and founder of Manhattan Bird Alert, described the snowy owl as one of the most beautiful and distinct owls in the world, akin to the owl featured in the Harry Potter series. This rare sighting was considered unusual as snowy owls are typically only spotted in the middle of winter in the city.
The mostly polar white snowy owl was first seen late Saturday afternoon in Shirley Chisholm State Park. This sighting was part of a snowy owl irruption, which occurs due to unpredictable migration patterns resulting from a successful breeding season. The last substantial sighting of a snowy owl in the area was in 2022. The recent appearance of the snowy owl in Brooklyn has garnered attention, as sightings of these majestic birds had been scarce for the past two years in the New York City and Long Island area.
On Sunday, the park was filled with birders equipped with binoculars, with some comparing the experience of seeing the snowy owl to a transcendental moment. The snowy owl, likely a first-year bird hatched in the previous summer, had likely flown over 1,000 miles to reach the Five Boroughs. Experts estimate that the entire population of snowy owls in North America is less than 30,000, with only a fraction migrating long distances in a given year, making their appearance in New York City even more unusual.
Shirley Chisholm State Park was said to be an excellent habitat for the snowy owl, with its flat terrain and abundance of prey such as rats. Birders, such as Gus Keri, described seeing the snowy owl as a spiritual experience, falling in love with the species upon first sight. The snowy owl abruptly left its perch at the park on Sunday afternoon, taking flight over the Atlantic Ocean and settling on an undisclosed island in the bay. Despite leaving the park, the snowy owl remained partially viewable on the small island the following morning.
There is a possibility that the snowy owl could remain in New York City for the winter, with possible sightings of other snowy owls occurring through March as they make their way back to the Arctic. The ability of birds to fly makes it unpredictable to determine their movements, leaving birders hopeful for more sightings of these majestic creatures. The snowy owl’s appearance in Shirley Chisholm State Park provided a rare opportunity for birders and wildlife enthusiasts to witness this beautiful bird in person, with some describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
