Snowy owl spotted at Shirley Chisholm State Park

January 3, 2025 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Snowy owls can sometimes be spotted at nearby Floyd Bennett Field. Photo by Heather Wolf

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STARRETT CITY — A SNOWY OWL was spotted recently in Shirley Chisholm State Park, fascinating local bird-watchers and enthusiasts. It is speculated that the bird’s appearance in the park signifies a successful breeding season, the NYC Bird Alliance told PIX11. Park neighbor Julian Best, of East New York, said to PIX11 News that he walks through the park every day, but has not seen any snowy owls yet, adding that he “heard the name before;” another local called the bird “beautiful.”

Snowy owls, native to the Arctic tundra, are known for their striking white plumage, which helps them blend into snowy environments, according to the National Audubon Society. These large, powerful raptors sometimes migrate south in winter when food sources become scarce. Unlike many owls, snowy owls are often active during the day, making them a favorite among bird-watchers. Their presence in urban parks is a rare and thrilling occurrence, as they are more commonly seen in open, grassy fields that mimic their natural habitat. Eagle-eyed watchers have spotted “snowies” in past years at other parks, including nearby Floyd Bennett Field.

This is Hendrix Creek in Shirley Chisholm State Park as seen from an overpass. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

Tod Winston of the NYC Bird Alliance told PIX11, “Usually we believe a lot of the creatures that snowy owls eat — they eat a lot of lemmings, cute little furry 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.”

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