Today I learned a new word: Irruption.
That's what it's called when there's a boom in population of a given migratory bird. And right now, the state of Minnesota is filthy with snowy owls. Well, relatively.
You might recall one such owl was found stuck in a car grille near Duluth around Christmas.
As Bob Timmons reports, officials at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have also been monitoring runways as the raptors have made homes for themselves on the grounds. The birds are fond of flat, tundra-like terrain, so they feel right at home here in Minnesota.
But extracting them from runways can be tricky, airport officials say.
The birds love trying to hide among the white markings on the pavement. They also fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which must lure them out to capture the birds — a species that's notorious for being stubborn.
So, how do airport officials plan to keep Hedwig safe? You can read the full story from Timmons at the link here.
