Snowy Owl Irruption happening in 2017

Snowy Owls in the middle of the day in Iowa?  Numerous sightings have already occurred around Iowa this fall.  Every four or five years a large number of Snowy Owls head south, known as an irruption.  Researchers predict that this will be a good year to see Snowy Owls in the United States.
    Irruptions typically occur following a summer with abundant food supply.  A Snowy Owl’s favorite thing to eat is a small furry animal called a lemming.  Lemming populations this past summer were very high, allowing Snowy Owls to produce lots of babies.  Many of these young will head south during the winter.