New Yorkers have been in for an really uncommon sight on Wednesday – one that professionals say hasn’t been noticed in more than a century. Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts flocked to New York City’s Central Park to get a glimpse of a stunning snowy owl earlier this week.
This is the initial time that a snowy owl has been spotted in Central Park in 130 years, according to The New York Times. Paul Sweet, the collection manager of the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History, stated that the final recorded sighting of a snowy owl in Central Park dates back to 1890.
I’ve been asked by a handful of men and women about the historic record of Snowy Owl in Central Park. The only one I can come across is mid-December 1890 by an L. S. Foster. Published in Proceedings of Linnaean Society of New York, no. 3. 1891, 6. @LinnaeanNY
— Paul Sweet (@pablo_dulce) January 27, 2021
The bird became an immediate celebrity on social media, exactly where its look produced a substantial buzz amongst bird watchers. Several men and women gathered at Central Park on Wednesday morning to watch the significant white owl as it mingled with other birds.
The SNOWY OWL of the Central Park North Meadow was not substantially bothered by the crows that gathered about it earlier and that have now returned. People are staying behind distant fences and becoming quiet and respectful. pic.twitter.com/BKjGPRiKCZ
— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) January 27, 2021
Social media was speedily flooded with pics of the snowy owl taken by excited bird watchers. Some referred to as it a historic sighting.
Another action shot I took of the #SnowyOwl and the #Hawk from yesterday. Fun day! @BirdCentralPark@ABA#furloughedbirder#birding#birdingnycpic.twitter.com/hQDwjFbynb
— Joel Lowden (@bostexnyc) January 28, 2021
It was actually great to get the chance to see the historic uncommon look of the Snowy Owl in Central Park in NYC even for a moment. (1/27/2021) #NaturePhotography#SnowyOwl#birdcp#birdphotography#wildlifepic.twitter.com/PGOt97Y6ML
— Vee Nabong (@VenusNabs) January 28, 2021
Just outstanding to see a Snowy owl in Central Park yesterday! It’s only the second time one has been recorded in the park, the initial time becoming in 1890! Thanks to these that reported the sighting so that so quite a few have been capable to see this spectacular bird! #birdcp#centralparkbirdspic.twitter.com/ywESRToY8M
— Bradley Kane (@WinoBradNY) January 28, 2021
Snowy owls are native to the Arctic tundra and migrate south in the course of the winter. They are more usually spotted in Long Island or at beaches, according to CBS New York.
As news of the Central Park look spread, authorities urged men and women to be cautious though attempting to get a glimpse of the ‘celebirdy’.
“Snowy owls prefer a lot of personal space and are best viewed through scopes or binoculars. Please keep your distance so everyone can enjoy and share this magic moment,” the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation tweeted.
The Linnaean Society of New York also shared suggestions encouraging birds watchers to maintain a respectful distance from the owl, stay quiet and not shine flashlights at it.