FWIW, there was an unusually light Barred seen around Orwell for 
a while earlier this winter (I didn't see it myself, but saw a 
photograph of it).  The non-birders who saw it and took the pix 
didn't know what it was, but thought it was probably a snowy 
because of the coloration.  This wasn't an albino, but just much, 
much lighter than any Barred I've ever seen.

I keep checking the abundant farm fields here in the lower 
Champlain Valley in hopes of a Snowy, or dare I say it, a Gyr, 
but so far no luck.  One o' these days...

Jane
Shoreham



June Schulte wrote:

> Hallo Maeve (and all interested) ~
>         I sent your note about the Snowy Owl along to my wildlife 
> biologist son, and he sent a response you may find helpful.    All the 
> best!  ~ June
> 
> There is a stretch of farm fields between English Settlement Rd and 
> Timber Ridge Rd. on Poker Hill Rd. There are also a couple of fields 
> just after turning onto English Settlement Rd from Poker Hill. 
> Definitely worth heading up to take a look.
> 
> Snowy Owls typically hang out on the ground/snow, fence posts, dead 
> snags, or rooftops in or around open fields. You usually do not see them 
> sitting up in trees. Ground or fence posts are the most common. Your 
> best bet is to take your binoculars and drive along the road stopping 
> regularly to scan over the fields looking for a big white or whitish 
> brown bird. They are unmistakable once you see them, but they do blend 
> in pretty well against a white background. Snowy Owls are active 
> throughout the day, so no reason to go up there at night. 
>