New nest provided for Manhattan barn owls after habitat destruction
A family of barn owls displaced by construction work in Manhattan has received a replacement nesting area, state officials announced Saturday. The owls’ previous nest, located within a water tower on a building at West 75th Street and Central Park West, was inadvertently destroyed earlier this week by a construction crew dismantling the tower.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) responded by issuing a stop-work order and initiating an investigation into potential legal violations. Despite the order, construction resumed Friday, further damaging the nest. The destruction of an active barn owl nest is a violation of state law.
The DEC has since installed a new nesting box to provide an alternative roosting location for the owls, stating their commitment to protecting native wildlife. The agency is continuing to monitor the site.
The owls, which have become local favorites since establishing their nest earlier this month, are believed to have survived the initial disruption and returned to the area. However, experts express concern that the subsequent damage could negatively impact the birds.
“The work that happened today definitely disturbed them even more,” said Jessica Wilson, executive director of the NYC Bird Alliance, on Friday.
Barn owl nests are exceptionally uncommon in New York City, with this Upper West Side nest marking the first documented instance in Manhattan outside of Central Park. These nocturnal birds typically choose human-made structures for nesting, a process that usually begins in April or May.
Young barn owls typically leave their nests between August and November, seeking out new territories or joining existing populations. The property owner received a cease-and-desist order Friday. As a precaution, the New York Road Runners have canceled a planned drone show over Central Park.
Source
“State gives barn owls new nest after callous workers destroyed old one on NYC water tower”
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