Rare DC snowy owl sighting draws crowds to Union Station

A rare snowy owl sighting in the nation's capital drew the attention of birdwatchers across the Washington, D.C. region again Wednesday as the elusive and solitary creature perched on the roof of Union Station.

Download the FOX 5 DC News App for Local Breaking News and Weather

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 5 DC ON YOUTUBE

Snowy1

PHOTO: Konstantine "Gus" Mamalis

The snowy owl is typically found in Artic regions to the north but this winter it has captivated onlookers who have spotted it around downtown D.C. on various monuments and government buildings.

SEARCH FOR ELUSIVE SNOWY OWL TAKES WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER TO MARYLAND'S ASSATEAGUE ISLAND

Snowy2.jpg

PHOTO: Konstantine "Gus" Mamalis

3bf08eb9-04601.jpg
SnowyOwl-2.jpg
SnowyOwl-1.jpg

FOX 5's Josh Rosenthal caught up with Konstantine "Gus" Mamalis, a wildlife photographer who captured images of the snowy owl when it moved across Maryland's Assateague Island last winter. Mamalis was one of many photographers who set up outside of Union Station to photograph the owl Wednesday.

SnowyOwl-8.jpg

"You've spent hours, days, weeks looking for snowy owls – tonight you show up here at Union Station – and it takes you how long to spot this one?" Rosenthal asked. "About 20 seconds!" Mamalis said with a smile.

Maryland Zoo's Jen Kottyan said "irruptions" of snowy owls are often triggered by exceptional breeding seasons and an abundance of food that often leads to sightings outside their typical territories. As for the owl spotted at Union Station – Kottyan says because it's a rare occurrence the D.C. snowy owl is getting the celebrity treatment!

SnowyOwl-5.jpg