We watched the snowy owl for a while today (11/29) in Cape Hatteras. She was
very visible from the beach on the dunes, just off the beach. She is gorgeous!
She was moving west all morning, apparently spooked regularly by beach traffic.
At noon she was halfway between the lighthouse campground and ramp 59. There
were only 5 of us on the beach, but we ran into a group of birders walking out
as we were going in who confirmed she was still there. It was about 1 1/2 mile
hike from the campground parking lot, and there were only birders cars parked
there, so we knew where to go. There is a sandy access road that parallels the
beach and there were several fishing trucks parked at the end of the road as
well as a park service officer in his truck. Not sure if it is legal to park
there but it sure would have been faster! There is a beach access there and
another park service ranger drove out on the beach and checked on the owl and
we chatted with him. They are certainly aware of her and probably monitoring
things. She is currently in a no beach driving area, but just south of point
which is loaded with fisherman and trucks and within walking distance of them.
Barb Slatcher
