© Ben McCannaA snowy owl flies over Drakes Island in Wells on Wednesday. Snowy owls are common in the area in winter, but are very rare at this time of year.
"They're not usually here this late. The latest I had seen one before was early May," said Bryan Isaacs, a birder of more than 30 years who drove to Wells from New Hampshire on Wednesday to get a glimpse. "This is so rare."
The owl spends most of its day sitting on chimneys and poles in the neighborhood, its stark white feathers making it easy to spot. According to the beach volunteers working at Drakes Island, the bird-watching community has given the owl the nickname "Snowball."
Connor Hood, a beach monitor for the town of Wells, said he, too, was surprised by the owl's late stay but welcomed the excitement that it has brought to the beach community.
