Reports of the predicted irruption of Snowy Owls in Minnesota continue. The birds are supposed to be moving south out of Arctic Canada. Of states adjoining Minnesota, Wisconsin has more than a dozen sightings. Few reports have come from the Dakotas. The owls are expected to scatter through the Midwest into the East Coast. Right now, states east of Wisconsin are seeing more of these birds. Email comments on owls seen in Minnesota have been scarce. Closest to Minneapolis was a Snowy Owl found in Champlin on Nov. 20. Of course, reports refer only to birds seen.

We don't need snow to have Snowy Owls. The heavy black barring means this bird is a juvenile.