Snowy Owl Perched on Spring Street Chimney

A resident reports:

A Snowy Owl was recently spotted on the chimney of an Ossining house located on Spring Street.  Based on dark markings on its wings  the creature was most likely a female  male. He was there for most of the day and flew off in the early evening. There has been many Snowy Owl  sightings in the Northeast and even  as far south as Washington DC this year. These raptors generally live in the Arctic and  their main source  of food is Lemmings. Some experts theorize that there were fewer Lemmings   or perhaps there was an increase in the Snowy Owl population or both this year. An adult may eat more than 1,600 lemmings a year, or three to five every day. The birds supplement their diet with rabbits, rodents, birds, and fish.

 The snowy owl is a patient hunter that perches in high places and waits to identify its prey before soaring off in pursuit. Snowy owls have keen eyesight and great hearing, and make no sound as they swoop down to  snatch their unaware quarry with their sharp talons. Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, snowy owls are diurnal—they hunt and are active both day and night.