One of the smallest members of the owl family is creating a big stir among birders. And it's attracting people from California, Virginia, and many points between to northeastern Minnesota.

The Duluth News Tribune reports boreal owls have headed south from Canada in search of food. And many have landed on roads along Minnesota's Lake Superior shore.

The arrival of the owls happens in a periodic cycle known in the birding world as an irruption. When word spreads that one of the most elusive species is on display, folks who are serious about the hobby will drop everything and go where the birds are.

Sharon Stiteler of Minneapolis hired a birding guide, who was able to lead her to one of the owls this week. She posted a photo to her Birdchick blog (scroll down past the Port-a-Potty photo). In the spirit of rare life events, Stiteler celebrated the occasion by sipping some 16-year-old Scotch.

Learn more about boreal owls at The Owl Pages or at the Minnesota DNR's web page.