Winter Visitors Arrive - Arctic Migratory Birds in Ontario

By late November, most of our local migratory birds here in Ontario have mastered their V-formations and started their impressive annual journeys south, to warmer climates. The absence of many songbird and raptor species until spring returns may cause some to assume that winter is a poor season for birdwatching. While there is merit to this view, Ontario is graced with unique, northern visitors in the winter that are worth searching for. 

Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus), Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis), and Snowy Owls (Bubo scandiacus) are all examples of birds that can migrate to Ontario for their nonbreeding seasons, which generally correspond to the winter months. Sightings of all three have been reported in both the Orillia and Thunder Bay areas through eBird observations in the last 5 years, meaning just about everyone reading this has a chance of seeing one.

Rough-legged Hawks, accustomed to tundra life above the tree line, tend to gravitate towards open fields or other barren landscapes, often perching on poles. They can be distinguished from other hawks through a mix of physical and behavioural traits. Feathers line their legs down to their toes. The light morph has two dark patches visible under its wings. Rough-legged Hawks are also much larger than other raptors that hunt by hovering in place. During summer, these majestic creatures build nests on arctic cliffsides and feast upon lemmings. In winter, they often frequent pastures and marshes, scouring instead for small rodents. 

In contrast, the ground-dwelling Snow Buntings can be found in riparian debris along a lakeshore, crop stubble, or similar habitats during winter. To spot them, you'll need to scan the ground for movement, as they blend into their surroundings effectively during foraging. They are restless, often dashing from one spot to the next, hardly ever staying in an area for more than ten minutes at a time. When not breeding, the white and black feathers of both sexes, but especially females, are further mottled by rust-coloured patches, adding to their ability to camouflage in rocky settings. 

Lastly, the more familiar but equally fascinating Snowy Owl can be found here in winter, hunting in windy fields and dunes. While they often perch upon high points, such as telephone poles, buildings, fenceposts, or haybales, they have also been known to blend into the snowy ground, barely noticeable when viewed from behind, save for a small "lump" in the landscape. They have irruptive migration patterns, causing their migratory routes to vary from year to year. Often, the Great Lakes region will see Snowy Owls annually. Similar to the Rough-legged Hawks, in summer, these birds reap the rewards of hunting in the Arctic Circle's 24 hour daylight, indulging upon ptarmigan and lemmings. Down south, gulls and raptors have been known to swoop at Snowy Owls - quite a sight to see. 

So - if you want to find birds of prey like the Snowy Owls or Rough-legged Hawks, your best bet is keep your eyes to the skies and scan for possible perching spots above open fields. For Snow Buntings, take a stroll along a rocky shoreline and scan the ground for unusually speedy substrate. 

Have you seen any of these alluring arctic creatures firsthand? Or, perhaps others that find solace in Ontario winters? Let us know in the comments below.