As winter approaches, so does a seasonal event that Wisconsinites might be a little happier to see: the return of the snowy owl.

Not only are the birds flying into the state a little earlier than usual this year, but they're also making a big showing.

According to Ryan Brady, who is a research scientist with the state Department of Natural Resource's Bureau of Wildlife Management, 135 individual snowy owls have been spotted in Wisconsin so far this year, which he said is high compared to an average year. About 73 were seen at this time last year.

"Everyone recalls last year as being a really spectacular year," he said. "We'll have to wait a little bit longer to see if this year ends up being quite as good, but already, we off to just a fantastic start."

The state is part of the normal winter range for some of the owls every year. But sometimes, a few more head to Wisconsin, too. Brady said that usually every three to four years, an irruption occurs, which he described as an irregular migration. Owls who typically would stay in the southern part of Canada move a little further south.

The exact reason behind an irruption isn't well-known, Brady said, but it's connected to food. It could be that there's not enough food, or that there's too much food, which would allow snowy owls to raise more young owls that have to disperse further south. A combination of the two over time is also a possibility, he added.

Where To See Snowy Owls

For those who want to see the birds, Brady said the birds seem to be showing up in the same places as last year.

"The reason for that is most likely that those are suitable habitats that these owls queue in on, so the birds that do come here recognized this wide open tundra-like space, and are attracted to that as long as there's a food source there," he said. Hotspots for the owls include the Freedom area and in and around Clark County, among others.

Brady said for those who want to see a snowy owl, one starting point is an online map he developed to track the birds through Wisconsin eBird. It shows reported sightings, and 'hotspots,' where a number of birds have been seen. However, people don't necessarily have to travel to hotspots.

"There are owls all over Wisconsin right now, provided you're in the right habitat," he said, about the birds, which are active during the day and night. "These are birds from the tundra. They like treeless expanses, so you want to go to very large, open grasslands, open agricultural areas."

He said other places to check include large wetland complexes and airports; however, Brady said it's important to be careful about using binoculars and other similar tools on the perimeter of an airport. Essentially, Brady said, make sure to view the birds ethically - respect the birds' space, private property, and other bird watchers.

Time is also on bird watcher's sides. The snowy owl usually stays in Wisconsin until March and sometimes into the early parts of April.