Rare Barn Owls Take Over Manhattan Water Tower
A family of barn owls has made a surprising home in a Manhattan water tower, attracting nightly crowds and marking the first documented instance of the birds nesting in the area in modern history, with the location on West 75th Street near Central Park West
A rare family of barn owls has taken up residence in a water tower on Manhattan's Upper West Side, marking the first documented instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in modern history. The owls, located in a water tower atop a building on West 75th Street close to Central Park West, have attracted nightly crowds of people eager to catch a glimpse of the elusive birds.
The barn owls were first spotted by Elisabeth Williams and her husband on October 6, who had previously seen a single owl on an apartment windowsill a few days earlier. According to Andrew Farnsworth, a migration ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the barn owl sighting was 'totally shocking', as there hasn't been a documented nest in Manhattan in recorded history.
Barn owl sightings are rare in New York City, with the city being at the northern fringe of the barn owl's range. The barn owl population has declined 'at an alarming rate' over time, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Despite this, the discovery of the barn owl family has generated excitement among New Yorkers, with Jessica Wilson, executive director of NYC Bird Alliance, noting that there's lots of enthusiasm about the owls.
## Why it matters The presence of the barn owls in Manhattan is significant, as it highlights the importance of urban wildlife conservation. The fact that the owls have chosen to nest in a water tower on the Upper West Side suggests that the area may be more conducive to wildlife than previously thought. As the barn owl population continues to decline, the discovery of this family serves as a reminder of the need to protect and preserve urban wildlife habitats.
The nightly crowds gathering to see the owls are a testament to the public's fascination with wildlife, and the potential for urban areas to support a wide range of species. As New Yorkers continue to marvel at the barn owls, it is likely that the city will see increased efforts to conserve and protect its urban wildlife, including the creation of more habitats and corridors for species like the barn owl to thrive.
