UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — For the first time that anyone can recall, barn owls have nested in Manhattan, drawing bird experts and residents to a rooftop water tower on West 75th Street to watch the birds raise their young.
Upper West Side resident JF Grossen said he became invested in the owls after hearing them behind his apartment.
“We don’t have connection to nature so when something like this… a miracle happens, it’s pretty cool,” Grossen said.
The owls, believed to include two adults and five fledglings, nested on the rooftop water tower. Each night, the parents returned to feed their young.
The situation drew concern after workers began dismantling the water tower last week. The birds had built their nest there, and harming the birds or destroying their nest is a crime.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation issued a cease-and-desist order.
On Monday, Eyewitness News was told that a new nesting box had been installed for the birds, and construction was allowed to continue.
“I’ve heard Monday from NYSDEC allowed workers to resume reconstruction of the water tower for purposes of making certain that residents get clean drinking water,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Lander.
Despite the new nesting box, it appears the birds have left the area.
It would be hard for the babies to stay in their new nest with all the construction noise and workers nearby.
Where are the NYC barn owls? Rare birds get new nesting box but remain elusive
