This year’s race was a bit closer than last year’s. With much back and forth during the bulk of voting, the community eventually determined our new champion and the owl that will lead us into the new year!

This owl spends much of its life mostly alone in the far away taiga. It is not as blessed as other owls when it comes to size and strength. It needs to make a long and arduous journey each year to avoid the worst conditions of the place it calls home. Though it fits in the palm of your hand, it needs the heart and determination to keep itself and its family safe every day from much larger predators. It lets none of this stop it from being a true champion amongst owls. This is our Owl of the Year: the Saw Whet Owl!

Thank you everyone that voted and participated in any of the events. I think the event organization went a little nicer with some experience from last year. Matchmaking felt better, we had some close races and just about all felt competitive. I liked giving you some choice in the owl participants.

Last year we were at 2100 subs at the time of the games, and now it’s almost 3400. It’s a lot of work keeping this community going and looking at last year’s winner post, there are more names in there that I recognize that I had expected.

• @casmael@lemm.ee
• @FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
• @onigiri@lemm.ee
• @pseudo@jlai.lu

I’m glad you all have been a big part of making our group what it is today. This wouldn’t be the same place without you and your consistent participation. We’ve lost a few regulars this year, but we’ve gained a bunch as well that keep this place lively with good questions, comments, and jokes.

I hope everyone continues to have a good time here into the new year. And for now, enjoy your new Owl of the Year!