Harry Potter’s Snowy Owl: Rare Sighting in Brooklyn’s
Snowy Owl Makes Rare Appearance in Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm State Park
A rare and majestic snowy owl made a stunning appearance at Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn over the holiday weekend, attracting photographers, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts from all over. Known for its striking yellow eyes and snow-white feathers, the owl is famously associated with the Harry Potter series as Hedwig, making this sighting even more magical for fans and nature lovers alike.
David Barrett, founder of Manhattan Bird Alert, called the snowy owl “one of the most beautiful and distinct owls in the world.” The bird’s presence in New York City is an uncommon event, usually only occurring during the depths of winter. This particular sighting, which began late Saturday afternoon, marks the first significant snowy owl appearance in the city since 2022, coinciding with a snowy owl irruption—a rare migration pattern driven by a successful breeding season.
Earlier this month, another snowy owl was briefly spotted on a barge in Bay Ridge before disappearing. However, the sighting at Shirley Chisholm State Park offered a more extended opportunity for birders to marvel at the Arctic visitor. The park’s open, flat landscape provides an ideal habitat for snowy owls, with an abundance of prey like rats to sustain them. These owls, adapted to hunting lemmings in the tundra, are highly capable of transitioning to urban prey.
The excitement surrounding the owl’s appearance was palpable. Edmund Berry, a seasoned bird photographer, described the sighting as “otherworldly” and “jaw-dropping.” For Brooklyn birder Gus Keri, it was a spiritual moment. “Seeing a snowy owl in Brooklyn is extraordinary,” he shared. “The moment I saw it, I felt immense joy and wanted to share it with everyone.”
Snowy owls are estimated to number fewer than 30,000 in North America, with only a fraction traveling long distances each year. This young owl, likely hatched just this past summer, has already journeyed over 1,000 miles to reach New York City, making its appearance a rare and unforgettable experience for all who were lucky enough to witness it.
4o
O