Thursday, June 25, 2026

Question: What kind of owl mysteriously appeared in large numbers across Virginia during the winter of 2013-14?

Answer: Snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus), which are striking white Arctic birds, appeared in unusually large numbers across Virginia during the winter of 2013-14—an irruption not seen in a century or more. The influx thrilled birders and the public, with sightings in airports, malls, and rural areas.