In a surprising turn of events, the Upper West Side of Manhattan has become the temporary home for a family of barn owls. These owls have chosen to nest in a water tower on a building near Central Park. This is the first time such an occurrence has been documented in modern times, as noted by experts.
Public Fascination
Residents on the Upper West Side have been flocking to the area to catch sight of these rare birds. Andrew Farnsworth, a migration ecologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, expressed amazement at this unusual event for Manhattan. “To the best of our knowledge, there hasn’t been a nest in Manhattan before,” Farnsworth said, acknowledging the rarity of the occurrence.
The presence of the owls was first reported by Elisabeth Williams, a local resident, who noticed multiple owls at the water tower. She initially spotted a single owl on an apartment windowsill days earlier.
Owl Sightings
Historically, birds have attracted significant attention in New York City. For example, American woodcocks regularly stop in Bryant Park during their migration. Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl, also captured New Yorkers’ hearts until his passing in 2024. Similarly, the red-tailed hawk, Pale Male, lived above Fifth Avenue for three decades until 2023. Yet, barn owls are rarely seen here, as noted by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
Jessica Wilson, executive director of NYC Bird Alliance, expressed the widespread excitement. “Owls captivate the imagination, especially because they are secretive and not often seen in places like Manhattan,” she stated.
Community Gathering
The rare sighting has turned the area into an attraction for photographers and bird enthusiasts. Val Coleman, a retired resident, recently attempted to observe the owls. “I’ve seen a barn owl only once before, in California,” Coleman noted, hoping the owls would avoid poisoned rodents in the city.
David Barrett, who manages the Manhattan Bird Alert social media account, confirmed sightings of an adult owl and five fledglings. Barrett noted that observing a full owl family in Manhattan is indeed special news.
Unusual Noises
Before residents became aware of the owls, many heard what they believed to be screeching noises. Thomas Obersteiner initially thought a person was in distress when he heard the sounds in mid-September. It wasn’t until local news reports surfaced that he realized the noises were actually from barn owls. Farnsworth explained that barn owls use screeching to communicate, describing the sound as “horror movie-like.”
Obersteiner has allowed photographers to use his rooftop to observe the owls, turning it into a temporary viewing location each night since the news broke. “We can’t say no to these enthusiasts,” Obersteiner remarked, enjoying the experience with others.
Williams, who had never been a bird watcher before the owls arrived, felt the experience might kindle a new interest. “I think we’re about to become birders,” she said, reflecting on the unique event.