Birds of Vermont: interlopers and watchful for lemmings. Snowy Owls may individually consume as many as 1,600 in one year. Nesting sites are typically raised hummocks of arctic grasses that have been scooped out at the top to create depressions, often plucked of moss and lichens to reveal the peat layer beneath The white, slightly elongated, eggs are laid every two days over the course of 10 days. Male Snowy Owls exhibit territorial hooting displays and can produce a variety of calls, such as barking, when agitated by perceived invaders near the nest. Females vocalize with a whistling sound or a mewing call before and after the male Snowy Owl feeds her, or as part of her distraction display. Both male and female Snowy Owls hiss at perceived threats soon after their chicks have hatched. Chicks produce chirping calls but cannot hiss until they are several weeks old. The Holt research team’s most recent results in studying the breeding ecology of Snowy Owls indicated that Snowy Owl nests have increased in number as has the tally of nonbreeding adults.
Care is taken to record the numbers of lemmings in a given year and study as well. A correlation between lemming numbers and Snowy Owl population fluctuations has been suggested from analysis of the data over the two decades of collection. This information is significant enough to encourage Holt to advocate for monitoring the effects of Arctic climate change, through its effect on the Arctic grasses, sedges and forbs that lemmings consequently consume, and based on the population numbers of the predatory Snowy Owl and its prey, the lemming. As stated, Holt has a long tradition of working with student researchers and others in revisiting Snowy Owl breeding grounds to update information on the behavior and population statistics of this magnificent species. While the task may be considered both personally and scientifically rewarding, the journey is demanding for each individual. The daily trek to a nesting site may involve a 15-20 mile hike with equipment in hand. In order to complete its objectives, the research crew must approach the nest and
chicks cautiously yet deliberately. Holt described the fearsome power and speed employed by male Snowy Owls in striking at interlopers too close to their nests and chicks. Apparently, his Patagonia expedition-wear was fully tested as a protective covering. Duct tape marks the spots where the owls’ well-aimed talons met their marks on his parka. Holt spoke about Snowy Owls as a fundraiser for the Birds of Vermont Museum, which suffered extensive damage this summer due to a flash flood. In addition to wowing the audience with his knowledge, his enthusiasm and his dedication, he wowed the staff and the Museum’s Board with an amazing offer. Anyone who donates a significant amount to assist in the building of the Museum’s bridge will be able to join him in the field. The lucky participant can either join the research team in Barrows Alaska to assist with the snowy owl study, or with one of his many other projects in Montana. Please contact the Museum for more details. Allison Gergely is the museum educator at the Birds of Vermont Museum.
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Page 47 • Vermont’s Great Outdoors Magazine • December 2013