Hi Peggy,
 
First, great questions.
 
I think someone from the Akron-Canton area can answer your first question.
 
As for your second question, it's tough to say.  There was one Snowy Owl that showed up in Wilmington, Ohio, in Clinton County, back around Thanksgiving of 2000.  That bird attracted people from all over Ohio and surrounding states.  It stayed in the same area until early April of 2001.
 
I think some of the factors that will influence when & if owls start heading north include a shift in the Gulf Stream that will allow winds to shift northwards, availability of local prey items, disturbance, etc.
 
Scientific studies suggest that owls that do come south usually don't breed for a year or two upon returning north.  This could be due to any number of factors, like returning too late to find a mate and establish a breeding territory, or not being in condition to breed after their return travels north.

 The return of the owls is bittersweet.  On the one hand I think we're happy that they have returned to where they belong.  On the other hand it'll be sad to see them go since a trip to the Arctic tundra is not something that many of us can achieve easily, so this is one of the few times we'll get to see them.
 
Fortunately there is a new research project going on right now that will help give us more information about the movements of these owls now and after they return north thanks to satellite tracking.  You can learn more about that project, and how you can support it, here:  http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/
 
Hope this helps,
 
Casey Tucker
http://tuckercasey.wix.com/aacri-birds
> Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:24:38 -0800
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [Ohio-birds] Snowy owl question
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Hi,
> I hope I am using this list properly.  I am wondering, first, if any snowy owls have been reported at or around Akron-Canton Airport in Stark/Summit counties.  Also, how long should we anticipate the snowy owls to remain this far south?
> Thanks,
> Peggy
> Stark County
> 
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