http://explore.org/live-cams/player/arct...owl-nesting-cam

Another offering from explore.org, the description says, "Catch a glimpse of a ghost! Enjoy a sneak peek of a Snowy Owl nest in the remote landscape of Arctic Alaska. Also known as 'Tundra Ghosts' these owl parents are nurturing six newborn chicks."

The image is, dare I say it, snowy. Since this appears to be a brand new cam for them, I hope they'll work it out soon.

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I thought perhaps the six chicks mentioned had turned into three (like in the barn owl boxes). But then I saw a least a couple more little white bobbleheads in what looks like a fairly deep nest cup.

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It's hard to tell I know, but I clearly saw at least five this time. One little one in the front row, two or three medium size just behind, and the two biggest in the back.

Just amazing to see. Especially with all the US sightings this winter-it's like "the rest of the story" Thanks, alta.

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I watched a prey drop this morning. The one that grabbed the prey did not end up downing all of it, although they really wanted to. Mom kept pulling pieces off of it and feeding those to the younger siblings. This picture was not very successful in showing that.

I have intermittent problems with the picture, too. I found that if I lower the quality (control is at bottom right corner), that usually fixes it.

MOM & CHICKS .... ALREADY STARTING TO GET AROUND.

Here are quotes on Snowy Owl from Owls: A Guide to the Owls of the World by Claus König et al. (1999), pages 317-318.

Snowy Owl, Nyctea scandiaca

Length of females is 59-66 cm, of males is 52.5-64 cm. Females weigh 780-2950 g (median 2120 g or 4.7 lbs.). Males weigh 710-2950 g (median 1730 g or 3.8 lbs.). Females are more dusky-patterned than nearly all-white males. Eurasian Eagle Owl is slightly bigger. Great Horned Owl is similar in size.

Most leave the dark arctic winter for regions farther south. In some years invasions occur, and the species may be observed farther south than usual.

Active during daytime from dawn to dusk. In the nesting area the birds are rather aggressive, especially the male, which attacks intruders by diving at them; female more often feigns injury in order to distract a potential enemy.

Food is primarily small mammals, especially lemmings and other voles; also birds up to the size of ptarmigans Lagopus and ducks, beetles, crustaceans, and occasionally fish. Outside breeding season, mostly smaller mammals and birds, as well as carrion.

Often pairs for life. Breeds once per year, but in years when food is scarce many pairs will not breed. Territory size normally about 3 square km, but may vary according to abundance of food and density of population.

The nest is a shallow depression on an eminence in open tundra with a view over the surrounding landscape; any taller plants obstructing view are plucked away.

Laying normally begins during early May to the first 10 days of June. The 3-11 (generally 7-9) pure white eggs, laid directly onto the ground; laying interval normally 2 days. Incubation, beginning with the first egg is by the female alone, fed by her mate, who brings food to the nest; surplus prey is stored near the nest. Incubation period 32-33 days, young hatching at intervals of several days and brooded by the female.

When the first chick is about 3 weeks old, the female shares in hunting for prey and both parents feed the offspring. When about 2 weeks old, the young may walk around the nest site, which they leave at 18-28 days, when still unable to fly. First attempts to fly begin at 35 days, and by 50-60 days the young fly well. They are cared for and fed by their parents for about 2-3 months. Sexual maturity is reached in the following year, but first breeding normally occurs at the end of the second year of life.

May reach an age of about 10 years in the wild; in captivity, ages of 25-28 have been recorded.

That PBS show was great! I fear that what happened to the youngest on that nest has also happened on this nest. Today I noticed that the banner description now reads, "Catch a glimpse of a ghost! Enjoy a sneak peek of a Snowy Owl nest in the remote landscape of Arctic Alaska. Also known as 'Tundra Ghosts' these owl parents are nurturing four newborn chicks." It used to say "six."