Arctic snowy owls captivate crowds at Mass. beach (2025)

Snowy owls from the Arctic are wintering on Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts, drawing significant attention from photographers and birders."Perfect snowy owl day here in Duxbury," said Jack McDonald, a local birder.When NewsCenter 5 visited, at least three snowy owls were spotted with the help of Mass Audubon's raptor specialist, Norman Smith."They’re an incredible bird. They travel 3,000 miles to get here, and it’s just amazing when you think of how far they come down and how far it is when they go back north," Smith said.Young owls come to Massachusetts in search of food, with some landing at Logan Airport due to its tundra-like habitat. Smith has been capturing snowy owls at Logan since 1981."You don’t want to be on an aircraft and have a plane hit a bird like a snowy owl and take out an engine," Smith said.Smith is passionate about educating people and protecting the owls. He releases many of them in Duxbury, a tradition now carried on by his son.This dedication has made him a celebrity among birders, many of whom wanted a picture with him during the visit to the beach.Video: Go inside snowy owl expedition on Duxbury Beach!"On an average winter, I catch 10 to 12 snowy owls at Logan Airport, and I’ve caught 12 so far, so this is an average winter for snowy owls," Smith said.The owls roost along the Duxbury Beach Reservation, which requires a permit to drive down the bumpy dirt road patrolled by rangers that leads to their winter home."There’s two actually out there," a ranger said.Most visitors brave the frigid weather for the same reason.It’s best to view snowy owls through binoculars or a scope. Keep your distance. You should stay 150 feet away and be quiet so you don’t disturb them."If you see the bird becomes alert and its eyes are wide open and it elevates itself, that’s a signal that you’ve gotten too close, and you should definitely back off," Smith said.The photographers we saw were wise to play by the snowy owl’s rules."It’s a beautiful day, it really, really is," McDonald said.The reward for their patience and respect is lasting proof of this predator's graceful beauty."That’s why I come out in this freezing cold and get up early to come out here and take it all in to get a few good pictures," said Kathy Diamontopoulos.

DUXBURY, Mass. —

Snowy owls from the Arctic are wintering on Duxbury Beach, Massachusetts, drawing significant attention from photographers and birders.

"Perfect snowy owl day here in Duxbury," said Jack McDonald, a local birder.

When NewsCenter 5 visited, at least three snowy owls were spotted with the help of Mass Audubon's raptor specialist, Norman Smith.

"They’re an incredible bird. They travel 3,000 miles to get here, and it’s just amazing when you think of how far they come down and how far it is when they go back north," Smith said.

Young owls come to Massachusetts in search of food, with some landing at Logan Airport due to its tundra-like habitat. Smith has been capturing snowy owls at Logan since 1981.

"You don’t want to be on an aircraft and have a plane hit a bird like a snowy owl and take out an engine," Smith said.

Smith is passionate about educating people and protecting the owls. He releases many of them in Duxbury, a tradition now carried on by his son.

This dedication has made him a celebrity among birders, many of whom wanted a picture with him during the visit to the beach.

Video: Go inside snowy owl expedition on Duxbury Beach!

"On an average winter, I catch 10 to 12 snowy owls at Logan Airport, and I’ve caught 12 so far, so this is an average winter for snowy owls," Smith said.

The owls roost along the Duxbury Beach Reservation, which requires a permit to drive down the bumpy dirt road patrolled by rangers that leads to their winter home.

"There’s two actually out there," a ranger said.

Most visitors brave the frigid weather for the same reason.

It’s best to view snowy owls through binoculars or a scope. Keep your distance. You should stay 150 feet away and be quiet so you don’t disturb them.

"If you see the bird becomes alert and its eyes are wide open and it elevates itself, that’s a signal that you’ve gotten too close, and you should definitely back off," Smith said.

The photographers we saw were wise to play by the snowy owl’s rules.

"It’s a beautiful day, it really, really is," McDonald said.

The reward for their patience and respect is lasting proof of this predator's graceful beauty.

"That’s why I come out in this freezing cold and get up early to come out here and take it all in to get a few good pictures," said Kathy Diamontopoulos.

Arctic snowy owls captivate crowds at Mass. beach (2025)
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