Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2024

Logan Moore

Clear night

Eyes

I like birds, I try to identify them post sighting and make sure to remember characteristics

Lots of wildlife in area, in close proximity to multiple bodies of water

Snowy owl was in the south lane of Route 100. Had to stop vehicle to avoid collision and then momentarily while owl paused, looking at the car first for a 3-5 second pause before looking south in the glow of headlights for another 10-15 seconds before it ascended into a low hanging branch on a tree off the shoulder of the road.

None.

This bird was crossing the yellow lines when my car approached it and teetered into the middle of the south lane. It paused to look at the car for several seconds before looking the opposite way for several more. I did not flash my car lights or beep to encourage it to move. Waited a few more seconds before it took a brief flight into a low hanging branch off of a tree to the left of the car.

Big girl, smaller than bald eagle, relative size to red tail hawk, smaller wingspan but puffier, stockier

No ears visible, white around the eyes and head with glowing eyes

Fluffy legs

Horizontal brown spotting throughout among mostly white

Same as upper back

Mostly tucked

White and brown with horizontal brown “spots”

Same as above

Referenced my copy of the American Bird Conservancy’s Field Guide: All the Birds of North American upon arriving home ~10 minutes later. I’ve been able to use this and the internet to identify birds minutes to hours after seeing them, including loons, Scarlett tangers, steller’s jay and other birds of pray ( red tail hawk, peregrine falcons, northern harrier, osprey, barred owl, Hawai’i’s Pueo owl, long eared owl). No other “white” owls compared in description, this bird has no gray present like the barn owl and this was much bigger.