Bird enthusiasts are observing an increase in the number of snowy owls migrating from the Arctic to the lower 48 states this winter. This mass southern migration has been described as "unbelievable" by a leading owl researcher. Thousands of these snow-white birds, known for their large size, have been seen across the country, from feeding in farmlands in Idaho to roosting on rooftops in Montana, gliding over golf courses in Missouri, and soaring over shorelines in Massachusetts. While some snowy owls typically fly south from the Arctic each winter, it is rare to see so many venture so far away, even during large-scale migrations known as irruptions. "What we are witnessing now is truly remarkable," said Denver Holt, who heads the Owl Research Institute in Montana. He described this event as the most significant wildlife occurrence in decades, noting that he has been studying snowy owls in the Arctic for twenty years. Holt and other experts on owls suggest that the unusual phenomenon of snowy owls migrating farther south than usual may be due to a high population of lemmings, their main food source. Last season, an abundance of lemmings led to an increase in owl populations, with breeding pairs hatching as many as seven offspring compared to the usual two. This resulted in greater competition for food in the Far North, causing younger, male owls to venture further south than usual. The scarcity of research on snowy owls is due to the difficult terrain they inhabit in northern Russia and Scandinavia, making it challenging for scientists to study them. The increase in snowy owl sightings has attracted birdwatchers from states like Texas, Arizona, and Utah to the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest, boosting local economies but also causing overcrowding in parks and wildlife areas. The sudden appearance of snowy owls has captured the interest of the public of all ages and backgrounds. However, reports of malnourished owls at certain locations, such as a starving owl found dead in a Wisconsin field, suggest that the migration has a dark side. Holt mentioned that an owl that arrived at an airport in Hawaii in November was deliberately shot to prevent accidents with airplanes. He also noted that snowy owl populations are thought to be decreasing due to changes in the climate affecting the availability of vegetation that lemmings eat. The recent increase in snowy owl sightings this winter, reaching as far south as Oklahoma, is still a puzzling phenomenon in nature. Holt stated that although there are various theories, there is limited concrete evidence to explain this occurrence.