. Birds in Kansas. Birds -- Kansas Identification. OWLS 335. Period of Occurrence: Extreme dates are 1 November and 15 April, with most sightings be- tween mid-November and early February. Notable flights were reported during 1945-46, 1949-50, 1954-55, 1957-58, 1961-62, 1963-64, and 1974-75. Habits and Habitat: Snowy Owls invade the United States at approxi- mately four-year intervals, in response to fluctuations in the lemming population at their Arctic breeding grounds. Relatively few birds reach Kansas during most immigrations, but 81 were reported during the winter of 1974-75 (Spomer 1981)
. Birds in Kansas. Birds -- Kansas Identification. OWLS 335. Period of Occurrence: Extreme dates are 1 November and 15 April, with most sightings be- tween mid-November and early February. Notable flights were reported during 1945-46, 1949-50, 1954-55, 1957-58, 1961-62, 1963-64, and 1974-75. Habits and Habitat: Snowy Owls invade the United States at approxi- mately four-year intervals, in response to fluctuations in the lemming population at their Arctic breeding grounds. Relatively few birds reach Kansas during most immigrations, but 81 were reported during the winter of 1974-75 (Spomer 1981). The birds are so conspicuous, and often so tame, that until recently a large proportion were killed before spring. Presently the best places to see Snowy Owls are at Cheyenne Bottoms and at open areas near the various large reser- voirs. The chiefly white plumage and yellow eyes ensure positive identification under most conditions, but some reports have proved to be of the much smaller Common Barn-Owl. There is considerable variation in the amount of black markings; usually the young are most heavily marked, the females are "intermediate," and the males are nearly white. In the Arctic, Snowy Owls inhabit tundra and rest on the ground, usually on a hummock or low ridge. The clutch size varies, apparently in response to the size of the local lemming population. It has an elaborate courtship, which includes aerial displays and a variety of croaks, whistles, and the more conventional hoots. Adults are very active in defense of their nest and use distractions, such as the broken-wing displays, and direct attacks on intruders. In Kansas, the owls are usually observed sitting on low perches in open country or coursing low over open fields and marshes in search of prey. As expected for an Arctic species, birds are active during daylight hours. The flight is low, steady, and direct, with a jerky upstroke and short periods of gliding. In Minnesota, Snowy Owls establish winter
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