From: Jon Greenlaw
Expat Maine birder
Tampa, Florida
Re: Snowy Owl occurrences in Maine to date
To all,
I follow the Maine birding scene with considerable interest, but I normally let Maine birders comment on mail posted to their listserv.
Peter V. earlier passed on a report of Snowy Owls arriving at Cape Race, Newfoundland, some of which were observed coming in off the ocean. Michael's summary map of Snowy Owls concentrating along Maine's southwest coast from MDI southward is worthwhile and notable. These owls are so conspicuous that I assume the sample of known occurrences so far also reflects relative absence along the Down East coast from Schoodic east to the Lubec area, and from northern and eastern inland Maine. This does not mean that no Snowy Owls have appeared in these places this season, but only that the existing pattern is accurate overall and certainly noteworthy.
I am entertaining the thought that these owls so far have been moving south and west from Newfoundland north- and perhaps northeastwards (Greenland?), south through Nova Scotia, and (apparently) directly across the Gulf of Maine from the west end of NS towards the central and southwestern Maine coastline. One might test this hypothesis by looking for owls on the New Brunswick coast along the north side of Fundy. Absence of owls from Lubec so far suggests that they are not following the coastline around from the eastern Maritimes. Yet, they clearly are piling up on the western coast of Maine and southward into northern New England.
In short, I suspect that the pattern you guys are documenting reflects a travel 'footprint' into Maine. That pattern may change later in the winter as owls from other sources arrive in the state. Michael's map is most interesting and should be updated. But it would be wise to treat maps on a monthly or seasonal basis. Alternatively, the current, cumulative map should be inspected for evidence that apparent geographic holes are starting to fill in, at which point a new map can be created. Of course, as has been pointed out, eBird maps may reflect the same picture; one can query the eBird database for maps by month if so desired. It would be interesting to examine patterns of first occurrence of this species in Maine in earlier years.
Does this make sense?
Jon
From: Smith, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 5:41 PM
Subject: [Maine-birds] Snowy Owls map update
===============================
Michael Smith MS GISP
State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS
State of Maine, Office of Information Technology
michael.smith _at_ maine.gov 207-215-5530
Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary
Education Chair, Maine GIS Users Group
State Rep, National States Geographic Information Council
State House Station 145
51 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04333-0145
69o 47' 58.9"W 44o 21' 54.8"N
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