CLEVELAND — A sign of winter has made an appearance in Cleveland: The snowy owl.

The Cleveland Metroparks says it's been hanging around the outer breakwalls on the south shore of Lake Erie. And likely, more will come soon. 

"These massive birds of prey hunt primarily at night, seeking roosting gulls and waterfowl. As an apex predator they have little to fear during the day, and will sit out in the open on the ground, breakwalls, and marina docks," the Cleveland Metroparks said. 

In previous years, snowy owls have migrated around Cleveland to the Lake Erie shorelines — it is a perfect spot for the enormous birds to hunt. 

Last year wasn't the best year for the snowy owl population; there were less to see in 2019, mainly because it depends on whether they have eaten well during the summer, according to the Cleveland Metroparks.

Regardless, more will come. The Cleveland Metroparks warns not to engage or disturb the owl in any form. They can become protective and will see you as a threat. Instead, grab a pair of binoculars and look from a distance. 

The shoreline won't be the only place to try and see it. In areas like Lake, Geauga, Portage and Trumbull counties, you might see them in crop fields or around farms. They're usually attracted to treeless areas, so you may even see them flying around Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.