“A CCTV camera on Highway 40 in the West Island of Montreal has captured a stunning image of a snowy owl in full flight.
The photo, taken on 3 January, was shared on Twitter by Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poetin, who wrote: “Magnificent snowy owl picked up by surveillance cameras of the road network on the A-40 in the West of MTL.”
Barbara Frei, director of the McGill Bird Observatory, believes the bird was likely looking for somewhere to perch.
She said: “I think they are attracted specifically to the highway because it has open, grassy fields nearby which is perfect for hunting their favourite prey, which is small rodents.
They like to get a good lay of the land and the high lamp posts or other posts that they can perch on while hunting just suits them perfectly.”
Snowy owls are native to the arctic tundra of Quebec, but they tend to migrate further south during the winter months. The species is protected from hunters in Canada and is the official symbol of Quebec.
The image of the snowy owl captured by the CCTV camera is a reminder of the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting wildlife. It is also a reminder of the importance of CCTV cameras in monitoring our roads and highways.
The cameras can help to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, as well as providing us with glimpses of the natural world.”
