Grand Traverse Snowy Owl - 07 Jan 2026

Robin and I drove north to Traverse City yesterday for a few days stay at the Delamar Hotel. Freezing rain was forecasted for the entire state, and although it was 32ºF and raining the entire day, no ice formed on the roads or car. 

This morning, we woke to rain, fog and 32ºF (0ºC) but again, no ice. Our plan was to have breakfast at Denny’s then drive to Chum’s Corner where as many as 3 Snowy Owls have been reported the past few days (1 ad and 2 juv). Shortly after 8 am we were done with breakfast and driving toward Chum’s Corner under dark skies, more fog and more rain.

Turning on E Commerce off US-31 we started scanning rooftops for signs of Snowy Owls. Several feet of snow were on the ground, but roads were clear. Just a short distance in I spotted a rooftop with several chimneys but w/ one slightly tilted off-vertical. Backing up I checked with binoculars and behold, our first Snowy Owl! A beautiful light-colored adult.

We spent a few minutes looking at it through binoculars, then turned around and drove around the corner where we were able to view it atop a condominium roof from an adjacent driveway. I was able to get out and photograph the Snowy Owl from behind the car. Despite the rain and dark skies, I was able to get some nice photos at ISO 12800 and f/6.3 w/ the Sony a1 + 200-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS.

The Snowy Owl posed nicely for several minutes, scanned its surroundings, then rose up and defecated before launching itself into the air and flying off toward the nearby ball diamonds. I anticipated its takeoff and was ready to get flight shots as it flew toward us then banked away to the ballpark. At 1/4000 sec shutter speed I was able to get some wonderful images as it flew by us.

We then got back into the car and drove over to the ballpark where we were able to see the owl far out in the field atop a light tower. Not wanting to bother it we grabbed a couple of photos from inside the car before driving off to look for more owls. 

We drove the area for the next 30 minutes or so but failed to see any more owls. Several people reported 2 dark juveniles just yesterday in the area, but we didn’t see them. I was thrilled to have seen the adult as it was my target bird. We’d pass by the ballpark and find the adult bird gone from its perch.

Given the weather we drove back to the Delamar to relax before going to lunch. I'm thrilled as this is my first Snowy Owl in almost 5 years.

Chum's Corner, Grand Traverse, Michigan, US
Jan 7, 2026 8:48 AM - 9:06 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.33 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Overcast, rain, fog, dark, 32F.
1 species

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S292931372

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)