Harry Potter Fans Will Love The Mystical Creatures Swarming Illinois This Winter

You'll never believe that there are snowy owls in Illinois. This is the time of year that these beautiful creatures make our great state their home. Not many know where they stay, but this post will give you a few clues.

If you're a huge fan of Harry Potter, this is the chance of a lifetime to see these iconic critters in their natural habitat. Keep scrolling to find out where they are.

Late December to early January, Illinois begins to see an annual visitor that many are familiar with from the Harry Potter franchise. Along the banks of Lake Michigan in the region north of Chicago, there are typically only a small handful of these beauties that migrate here each year.

Yet this year, things are different. Winter has not even yet begun and birdwatchers are already reporting an uptick in the amount of snowy owls in the area. Nearly two dozen have been spotted thus far, and more are sure to come.

The trick to finding these adorable critters is to scan each tree or building you see from top to bottom. It's wise to choose a day when weather is not inclement, and you can go during daylight hours.

Mostly being spotted along the lake around Evanston, Rogers Park, and Montrose Harbor, it's hard to believe that you're actually seeing one of these arctic creatures here.

Though it may take some time, walking through their favorite types of ecosystems (marshes and beaches) will surely lead to a sighting. Resist the temptation to get close though, as it may fly away.

The last surge in snowy owls happened in 2013 when 270 were spotted. This could be another record breaker, so get your binoculars out and head to the lake ASAP.

If you love animals, check out these six magical horse-drawn sleigh rides in Illinois.

Have you ever seen snowy owls in Illinois? Share your experiences and photos with us!