Saundra Byrd asks:

> is there a specific route you take when reporting something such 
> as the snowy owl? 

Saundra,

There generally is no problem giving detailed information regarding locations of both Short-eared and Snowy Owls.  These two species hunt during the daytime and generally inhabit wide open habitats such as the dunes along coastal beaches.  These two characteristics make them much less likely to be disturbed by birders trying to observe them.  If the birders get too insistent, they simply fly away to another less hassled location.

The reason why we don't talk about locations for most other species of owls is that they are nocturnal hunters.  Birders who want good daytime looks often spook them from their daytime roosts, thus open them up to predation or harassment by diurnal species such as hawks, crows, etc.

I hope this helps.

Norm Saunders