The Wizarding World Is At Hand!

Probably not, but if you have read the Harry Potter series, then all of these talks about the increase in owls may have gotten you wondering. The number of Snowy Owls has not only increased this year, but it seems like they have come just a little further down than normal. Maybe they brought the cold and snow that we've had this year!

Snowy Owls are built for this cold weather. They are native to the Arctic tundra and thrive in cold places with harsh winds. These raptors (birds that eat other animals are called "raptors") are among the biggest owls in North America. They can stand 20 to 27 inches high and weigh 4-6 pounds. Females are a little larger than the males and have black or brown spots and bars. Males are nearly all white and get whiter as they age. Unlike other owls who hang out in trees, Snowy Owls prefer wide-open spaces like airports which is why they are in the news a lot lately. These birds and other large birds can cause serious problems for aircraft and folks are doing all they can to save the birds while they are here as well as make air travel safe for everyone. Why are they here anyway?! The younger birds fly south to escape the extreme winter and to find a food source. It is hypothesized that there are more youths this year so they had to go a little further south to find the food. Whatever the reason, they are beautiful birds! 

So what about Harry Potter?! Harry Potter had a Snowy Owl named Hedwig. Wizards use owls kinda like a wizarding mailman. The day that Voldemort disappeared, there were owls carrying the news all over the skies. Have no idea what I'm talking about? Then you have to get the books and read!!! 

The Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling...truly a treat for the young, the old and the middle!