I posted an FAQ with a synthesis of what the current thinking is
regarding Snowy Owl survival (which I think I've sent round to
tweeters once already):

http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/SNOW/SNOW_FAQ.html

Most known owl mortalities look to be from collisions and gunshot
wounds in owls that have been studied elsewhere. The two known
deaths this irruption in Oregon are a bird hit by a car on I-5 near
Portland and an owl shot by someone using birdshot in Coos Bay.
To my knowledge, no birds have been brought to any re-hab facilities,
yet.

All 5 owls at the South Jetty of the Columbia have been seen actively
hunting and do not seem to show any signs of undue stress or sickness.
There is no reason to believe that, come late-February or early-March
(the time of year the 1996-97 birds started thinning out) that most
will go back north.

Linda Phillips wrote:
>
> Mike and Tweeters,
> Mike, Your pictures of pellets are fascinating.
> When Snowy Owls come south searching for food, Do they find a sufficient
> supply? Do they get fat and happy here and return north or do they die of
> starvation here?
> Linda Phillips
> sweetmem at juno.com
> Kenmore 98028-2616

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

Christmas Bird Count Calendar and FAQ for Oregon and Washington
http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/cbc/cbc_WAOR_reg.html