house resolution no.346

Rep. Damoose offered the following resolution:

A resolution to declare Rudyard Township as the Snowy Owl Capital of Michigan.

Whereas, Snowy Owls (Bubo Scandiacus) are a protected species native to the arctic regions of North America that frequent Michigan during the winter months and are guests to the Rudyard area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; and

Whereas, The snowy owl is a yellow-eyed, black beaked, white bird also identified by its large size of 20-28 inches long, wing span of 49-59 inches, 3.5-6.6 pounds, making it one of the largest owl species and the heaviest in North America. Snowy owl males are white, while immature males and females tend to have dark spots and have a life span of ten years; and

Whereas, This nomadic bird nests in arctic tundra they winter south through Canada as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Snowy owls are attracted to winter areas that are open and that appear somewhat similar to tundra. As diurnal (night and day) hunters they sit patiently on fence post, telephone poles, and hay bales waiting for their desired diets, small rodents such as meadow voles and deer mice, requiring seven to twelve per day to meet food needs. Rudyard lands have these attributes and meet habitat criteria making it a frequent winter hunting ground and a superior area for the snowy owls; and

Whereas, Snowy owls arrive in November and stay until March or April and the official Annual Audubon National Christmas Bird Count of seventeen snowy owls in 2017, twenty-nine in 2018, thirteen in 2019, three in 2020 and twenty-three in 2021 shows the Rudyard area has a consistent winter population of snowy owls.  The 2018 count of twenty-nine snowy owls, was the highest one-day snowy owl numbers in both Michigan and the United States; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the members of this legislative body declare Rudyard as the Snowy Owl Capital of Michigan. We commend all of the residents of Michigan who enjoy bird viewing and bird photography; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Rudyard Township Board as evidence of our support.