Snowy owls’ unusually early visit to Chicago lakefront could signal migratory boom

Lee Applewhite, 36, of Chicago, watches snowy owls Nov. 25, 2025, near Montrose Beach. “We have more of a yard than you’d ever have in rural America,” Applewhite said. “A backyard that’s free … the bird sanctuary, the beach, that’s sick.” (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl sits near Montrose Beach on Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

People gather to watch two snowy owls near Montrose Beach on Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

People congregate to view snowy owls at Montrose Beach on Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl flies near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A portion of Montrose pier is closed off Nov. 25, 2025, near where two snowy owls have been spotted in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cathy Heldt, of Evanston, photographs a snowy owl at Montrose Beach, Nov. 25, 2025 in Chicago. "I was worried I'd missed them," she said. "When I walked up, I was like 'oh they're still there' because I saw all the people." (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl perches near Montrose Beach on Nov. 25, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Snowy owls fly near Chicago's Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl sits near Montrose Beach in Chicago on Nov. 25, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl lands near Montrose Beach on Nov. 24, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A snowy owl in the sand at the edge of the Lake Michigan shoreline at Montrose Beach in Chicago on a Wednesday in November. Reports of its sighting attracted many birders. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

People take in the sight of two snowy owls resting on the sand at Montrose Beach in Chicago on Nov. 19, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)