The roof of a water tower on Manhattan’s Upper West Side that housed a family of barn owls was removed on Thursday, Oct. 29. The structure had become a site of interest for birdwatchers and photographers after the owl family was discovered several weeks ago. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has ordered the building owner to halt demolition of the water tower while it investigates potential violations.
Barn owls are nocturnal birds, and sightings in New York City are rare as the region sits at the northern edge of their natural range. The DEC reports that the species' population has declined significantly over time. Before this nesting site was documented, there had been no recorded instances of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in modern history.
Jessica Wilson, executive director of the NYC Bird Alliance, reported seeing one fledgling on a nearby roof at midday on Thursday following the roof's removal. Wilson noted that fledglings are usually not active during the day and expressed concern for their survival, as they rely on their parents to bring food to the nest until they learn to hunt. Thomas Obersteiner, a local resident, reported seeing a man with an extension cord descending from the tower around noon on Thursday.
The event affects a family of barn owls and their fledglings in a city where such sightings are historically unique. While the exact number of fledglings is not confirmed, state Sen. Erik Bottcher noted that "several" were believed to be at the site. For the birding community and local residents, this marks the disruption of the first documented barn owl nest in Manhattan's modern history. The loss of the nesting structure means the fledglings, which are not yet capable of hunting for themselves, may face a risk of starvation if their parents cannot locate or feed them outside the original nest.
Active migratory bird nests are protected under state and federal law. Construction and demolition activity on the water tower has been halted by state authorities. The DEC will determine if any state or federal wildlife protection laws were violated.
The names of the building owner and the specific worker involved have not been reported, and the building superintendent declined to comment. The DEC will investigate the building's owner and the party responsible for ordering the roof removal to decide on potential fines or requirements to mitigate the impact on the birds. No specific date for the investigation's completion has been announced.