13. The Snowy Owl of Central Park
An owl craze swept New York City in the winter of 2021 when for the first time in 130 years, a Snowy Owl appeared in an appropriately snowy Central Park. Before its 2021 debut, the last recorded sighting of the species in Central Park was in 1890. While the city was largely still in lockdown with few entertain options available, the Snowy Owl became a star attraction.
The majestic looking white bird drew crowds – and the odd celebrity – out into the park in freezing cold temperatures just to catch a glimpse. People lined up around the Central Park Reservoir North Pumphouse where the owl liked to perch.