Snowy Owl Season – Where to see Winter’s Coolest Visitors

If you’ve ever spotted a stunning white owl perched along the shore or in an open field, you’re not imagining things—snowy owls are real, and they’re here in Boston for the winter! These Arctic natives make their way south every year, seeking out familiar tundra-like landscapes (hello, Castle Island to spend the colder months.

So what the heck is a snowy owl doing in the city?

Well, according to the National Audubon Society, of the 30-plus species of owls in North America, several have learned to thrive in urban spaces. The snowy owl will haunt flat, tundra-like places that mimic their typical northern hunting grounds. Airport tarmacs and beaches are spots you might find them.  They are almost always found during the winter, especially when there is snow on the ground. 

This is not the first time a snowy owl has been spotted in the neighborhood.  Last year, one was spotted on East Fourth between P + Farragut Rd.  We reported back in 2017 one perched on the playground behind the L Street Bathhouse and back in 2019 one was in a tree at Castle Island.

Where to Spot One

Snowy owls love wide-open spaces that resemble their Arctic home. In Boston, that means beaches, dunes, open parks, and—somewhat unexpectedly—Logan Airport. The airport’s grasslands mimic the tundra, making it a prime snowy owl hangout. But since an airport isn’t exactly the safest place for birds, Mass Audubon and the USDA work to capture and relocate them to safer habitats. Some even get fitted with satellite transmitters, helping scientists track their movements.

Make sure to follow @WildlifeBoston on Instagram for some great photos of snowy owls in addition to some other very cool birds for all you bird lovers!

 

5 Comments

  1. Kevin January 28, 2025 at 8:41 am - Reply

    Saw one on December 21st at Castle Island. Was out running and it flew with me for a while! So cool. Went back with my camera and spotted it again but scared it away before I got a photo.

  2. Adam Banks January 30, 2025 at 2:05 pm - Reply

    I spotted one just last week on Castle Island, and was lucky enough to snap a photo. Not a birder by any means but it was really really cool!

  3. Peter Goudy January 30, 2025 at 2:16 pm - Reply

    I’ve seen one a few times behind the State Police barracks near Carson Beach. Beautiful and very cool to see, but they shouldn’t be approached.

  4. Gerry January 30, 2025 at 6:57 pm - Reply

    Castle island is a Target rich environment for the Snowy Owl. I wish they summered here as well. It’s important to not get too close them. You scare them and their food away.

  5. mplo February 2, 2025 at 10:35 am - Reply

    Snowy Owls are beautiful!!

    Here’s hoping that they survive.

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