Essential Nantucket since 1821
(Dec. 6, 2021) The first reports of Snowy Owls during the week began with a “possible” sighting on the west jetty Nov. 22. Earlier in November there was a sighting in Chatham. There were two on Cape Cod, at the south end of Nauset Beach, on Saturday. One was seen there on Sunday, so perhaps the other drifted across the sound to check out Nantucket.
On Saturday one was seen on Coatue. There was also another report closer to Wauwinet. So, it’s possible we have more than one. Snowies are highly nomadic, flying thousands of miles. Why and where they move is still a bit of a mystery, although they are usually found in open, barren, tundra-like habitat. Logan Airport is a favored location. But they can be anywhere.
One was recently seen on the north coast of Spain. After 30 years of breeding reliably around Utqiagvik, Alaska, none produced any young in 2019. So, there is still something magical about getting a look at one.
The male Painted Bunting, or at least a male Painted Bunting, has been seen at both a feeder alongside Lily Pond Park, and another feeder near the elementary school. It seems unlikely that we could have two such unusual southern visitors at the same time, but anything is possible.
