2/20/13 – There is an irruption of Boreal Owls occurring around Sawbill right now. Boreal Owls used to be fairly common around here, but their numbers have been dwindling in recent years. An irruption is an influx of a species into an area where they aren’t normally seen. It usually happens when the prey species population crashes in the owl’s home range.
Due to the fact that they are here because they are starving, it’s not uncommon to find dead owls during an irruption. I found the owl below in the canoe yard while I was plowing last weekend.

A sad little visitor from the north.