Winter along Chicago’s lakefront can be brutally cold, but for birdwatchers at Montrose Beach, the freezing wind off Lake Michigan recently came with an unexpected reward. Two snowy owls have been spending time along the pier, turning an ordinary stretch of shoreline into one of the most exciting birding spots in the city.
For longtime birder John Shirey, the sight was worth days of patience in the cold. He had returned to Montrose several times, scanning the pier and nearby shoreline, hoping the Arctic visitors would appear again.
When they did, the moment felt unforgettable.
“I’ve been waiting 12 years for this,” Shirey said. For birders, that first sighting of a species is often called a “lifer,” and snowy owls sit high on many wish lists.
It’s easy to understand why. Snowy owls are one of the most recognizable birds in North America. Their bright white plumage, piercing yellow eyes, and powerful build make them look almost unreal against a gray winter sky.
These owls normally live far from Chicago. They breed in the Arctic tundra, a vast, treeless landscape that stretches across northern Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. In winter, some individuals travel south when food supplies change in the north. When they do, they tend to seek places that resemble the open tundra they are used to, such as beaches, large fields, and even airport runways.
The Midwest sometimes sees these birds during winter, but not every year. Scientists call this pattern an irruption, meaning snowy owls appear in larger numbers some winters and are mostly absent in others. Their movements are closely tied to the population cycles of lemmings, one of their main prey species in the Arctic.
- Snowy owls breed in the Arctic tundra.
- They often hunt during the day, unlike many owls.
- Their main prey in the Arctic is lemmings.
- In winter they favor open landscapes like beaches and fields.
- Wingspan can reach nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters).
- Observe from a distance using binoculars or zoom lenses.
- Avoid walking directly toward resting owls.
- Move slowly and keep noise low.
- Give birds space so they can conserve energy.
- Respect wildlife and other birdwatchers.
When lemmings are plentiful, many young owls survive the breeding season, and some of those birds travel south later in the year. For birdwatchers, that can lead to memorable winters filled with sightings.
Word of the Montrose owls spread quickly among local birders. Soon, a small group of enthusiasts began visiting the pier regularly, arriving with binoculars, spotting scopes, and long camera lenses.
Emily Voveris, who recently moved to Chicago from Arizona, was among those hoping to see the birds. She had only started birdwatching less than a year ago, so every outing still feels new.
“I’m still learning,” she said. “But seeing something like this so early on is pretty incredible.”
Nearby sat Heidi Paul, who had driven from Lowell, Indiana. She had seen a snowy owl once before, but the experience still felt special.
“They travel thousands of miles from the Arctic,” Paul said. “When you think about that, seeing one here feels pretty amazing.”
Snowy owl sightings often spark conversation in the birding community, especially about sharing the birds’ locations online. Because the owls can attract large crowds, some people worry that too much attention could disturb them.
Most visitors at Montrose appeared to understand the importance of giving the birds space. People watched quietly from a distance while the owls rested near the end of the pier, occasionally turning their heads to survey the beach.
Shirey even helped inform passing joggers and cyclists about the owls, asking some to turn around before reaching the birds. Many people were happy to cooperate. A few continued on their route, which occasionally caused one of the owls to fly off briefly before settling down again.
That challenge is part of observing wildlife in a busy city.
“It’s a public pier,” Shirey noted.
For now, the snowy owls remain a welcome surprise for Chicago birders. One of the birds briefly disappeared for a couple of days before returning to the area, suggesting they may continue moving around the lakefront.
No one knows how long they will stay. Snowy owls are known to wander during winter, sometimes spending days in one spot before moving on.
But for the people lucky enough to see them, even a short visit is memorable.
Standing on the windy pier and watching a bird that normally lives in the Arctic tundra can feel a little surreal. It is a reminder that even in the middle of a big city, wildlife can still surprise you.
And sometimes, the most exciting winter visitor in Chicago is not a tourist. It is a snowy owl taking a break on the beach.