For most birds, raptors especially, it is generally thought that the first
year or immature birds are those that wander farther than usual from their
normal winter range and often travel the furthest. These birds are much
more inexperienced than adults and end up wandering much further in search
of food and an adequate wintering area. The large number of immature birds
being reported could be the reason for seeing so many so far south.

Jeff Kozma
Yakima


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stewart Wechsler" <ecostewart at quidnunc.net>
To: "Wayne C. Weber" <contopus at telus.net>; "TWEETERS"
<tweeters at u.washington.edu>; "OBOL" <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 5:33 AM
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] How does this Snowy Owl year compare?


> Any speculation as to what factors may be involved in them flying further
> south than usual?
>
> -Stewart Wechsler
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wayne C. Weber [mailto:contopus at telus.net]
>
>
> ... What I have been impressed by, is how far south they have
> travelled.
>
> --
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