OK tweeters, I have to ask...

Why are the sightings of Snowy Owl's considered an *irruption* and not a
regular migration? I live east of Granite Falls and see them every winter in
the same places. Often observing the same field for mice from the same post.
There is a speed limit sign near a Christmas tree farm where I always see
the first Snowy Owl of the season every year (if I don't see the first one
passing through the pool of light in front of my car like some ghost on a
snowy night.



Can you explain that to me?

Deb... who thought that she was a resident but now reads that she is
actually a tourist.



Deb of Ray & Deb Fame

Robe Valley in Washington

42psalm01 at foxinternet.com



http://members5.boardhost.com/Koinonia/index.html

-------Original Message-------



From: jbroadus at seanet.com

Date: 12/22/05 09:07:04

To: david.grant at kingcountyjournal.com

Cc: tweeters at u.washington.edu

Subject: [Tweeters] Bellevue Journal Snowy Owl article



Our birding word of the day is irruption, not eruption. An irruption, from
the Latin -rupt (burst, break), is defined as a sudden violent entrance or a
bursting in. It may also reference a sudden and violent inroad, or entrance
of invaders. Now, we avian enthusiasts do not equate birds with barbarians.
An irruption is used to describe a large incursion of birds of a single
species into an area outside of their normal range. Although exciting to
observers, these movements are usually driven by unstable weather conditions
or lack of food, so be nice to the tourists. Note that the occasional stray
visitor is not called an irrupter, but a vagrant.





Thanks to:

http://www.10000birds.com/january2005.htm

.Clarice Clark

Puyallup, WA. 98371

mailto:jbroadus at seanet.com