Rare snowy owl sighting thrills Brooklyn residents

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A rare snowy owl has been spotted at Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn, generating excitement among local residents and bird enthusiasts.

The majestic bird, known for its striking white plumage and luminous yellow eyes, has drawn crowds of wildlife fanatics eager to catch a glimpse or snap a picture.

Julian Best, a longtime East New York resident who walks the park's trails every morning, was intrigued by the news. When asked about the owl, Best admitted, "No, I haven't seen this bird in this park." However, he added, "I heard the name before," indicating some familiarity with the species.

While Best hadn't personally spotted the owl, he acknowledged the possibility of its presence. "Now you make me aware of it. I be more, a little more, you know, because there's a lot of people who had to buy binoculars. They are always looking for birds, you know? So maybe, maybe it was here," Best remarked.

The snowy owl's appearance has captivated other locals as well. One park visitor simply described the bird as "beautiful."

Tod Winston from the NYC Bird Alliance provided some insight into the owl's presence. "This bird seems to be a young bird. Most snowy owls that come south are young birds," Winston explained.

Winston added that snowy owl sightings are often the result of successful breeding seasons and food availability in their northern habitats. "Usually we believe a lot of the creatures that snowy owls eat -- they eat a lot of lemmings, cute little fury rodents that live in the tundra there -- and when lemmings have a really good year, when there are lots of them, then snowy owls find a lot of lemmings to eat and they have a lot of babies," Winston elaborated, explaining the potential reasons for this owl's southern journey.

Winston advised the public to maintain a safe distance from snowy owls and refrain from feeding them. Meanwhile, Best and other regular parkgoers remain vigilant in their search for the owl's presence.

For more information about the NYC Bird Alliance, click here.