Famed Snowy Owl Pays a Visit to Hatteras Village

A famous snowy owl that has been making headlines since first being spotted at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on December 29 made a surprise appearance in Hatteras village on Thursday afternoon, on the roof of the home of local residents, Glen and Terry Lynn Cartwright.

“My husband saw it first, and it took me a while to go out as I was on a [phone call], but I went out to the front yard, and looked up, and there he was… He was beautiful,” said Terry.

A number of neighbors and local children gathered in the Cartwright’s front yard as the snowy owl lingered for about 45 minutes, and Terry caught some amazing video footage and photos of the visitor until he eventually flew away.

“For some reason, and maybe from the way I was turned, the pictures came out perfect,” she said. “I’ve never seen one before, so it was amazing. I don’t know why he picked my house– maybe it was the red roof, and he thought it was the Red Roof Inn… We also have sheep and a miniature pony, so maybe he felt at home among the [barnyard animals.]”

Terry also noted that they have one of the highest roofs in the Kohler Drive neighborhood of Hatteras village, which might have also been an incentive. But in any case, the temporary visit – which drew a small crowd of onlookers – was a welcome sight for the Cartwrights and everyone who caught a glimpse of the rare visitor.

Per OBX Today, snowy owls generally live in the far north near the North Pole, and winter in southern Canada and the northern United States. About every four years, they travel south well outside their normal range in a phenomena called “irruption.”

For reasons not understood, snowy owls have been “irrupting” more often in recent years. In fact, a few spent several winters on Ocracoke Island, and were spotted around Cape Hatteras between 2014 and 2017, with their time here well documented by the Ocracoke Observer.

In any case, the sighting was a breath of fresh air for Hatteras residents who were fortunate enough to catch the show.

“After yesterday, people needed a little bit of ‘good’,” said Terry, “so seeing the snowy owl was like a gift from God, saying ‘It will be OK – just keep on going, and it will all be good.’”