Rare owl sighting in Barrie, Ont. sparks concern from wildlife experts

A northern hawk owl has been spotted perched in Barrie to the delight of many onlookers.

A rare guest from the far north has been making special appearances in the Barrie area, turning what began as a quiet sighting into a daily spectacle.

Locals have been soaring to catch a glimpse of this incredible northern hawk owl with piercing yellow eyes and a prodigious-spotted body.

Perched high in the trees, this beautiful creature has captivated Simcoe County residents. According to the National Audubon Society, “In the northern forest, a lucky observer may spot this long-tailed owl perched upright at the top of a spruce. Rather hawk-like in both appearance and behavior, it often hunts by day. Going from tree to tree, it flies fast and low, swinging up at the last moment to alight on the topmost twigs.”

The occasional hawk owl that wanders into unusual areas in winter may remain for weeks, attracting birders from far and wide, shared bird experts.

However, what should be a rare and beautiful moment of quiet observation has turned into a growing concern for local wildlife experts, according to The Owl Foundation. “Vehicles line both sides of the road, crowds gather too closely, all happening right in front of a private residence,” the organization stated in a social media post.

“Not only is this stressful for the bird, but it’s also creating a safety hazard. Police are being called multiple times a day, and the Ministry of Natural Resources has been notified,” The Owl Foundation shared, spreading the message to locals across the region.

Bird experts say the northern hawk owl is known to take advantage of abundant prey by caching small rodents and mammals to eat later, storing them in tree crevices, holes in trees, or among dense spruce boughs.

According to the National Audubon Society, this mystical guy will reside in open conifer forests, birch scrub, tamarack bogs and muskeg.

Locals have posted sightings of the northern creature on social media throughout the months of February and March. Most, however, are silent on its precise whereabouts, which is key in this instance.

“Do not share owl locations online as this often creates an unsafe situation for the owl. Do not cause it to lose focus on the hunt or cause it to fly and waste energy,” said one rehab staff member from The Owl Foundation.

Winter is a tough time for owls. The organization says they rely on conserving energy to survive, and repeated human interference can have serious consequences.

One local caught a glimpse of the owl on Monday, telling CTV News, “He is a migrant, far south of his normal habitat and the northern Boreal Forest. With warmer weather arriving he’ll head north, if he hasn’t already done so.”

CTV News has reached out to the Ministry of Natural Resources for further information on this unusual sighting but has yet to hear back.

While the rare owl is quite the sight for soar eyes, wildlife experts remind the community to practice ethical wildlife viewing in hopes that everyone will put the bird’s well-being first. “The best thing you can do is admire from a distance and respect their space,” concluded the wildlife foundation.