Roof Removed From Manhattan Barn Owl Nesting Tower

The roof of a water tower on West 75th Street was removed on October 29, exposing the site where a family of barn owls had been nesting. The birds had drawn crowds of residents and bird watchers, and the nest is believed to be the first documented in Manhattan in modern history.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said its officers investigated and told the building’s owner or management to stop demolition until further notice as it examines possible violations. The officers had responded to a call about damage to a tower occupied by adult and young owls.

Jessica Wilson, executive director of NYC Bird Alliance, said she saw one fledgling on a nearby roof after the work. She said the young owl appeared to have been disturbed from its nest, and that she saw no other fledglings. Young barn owls rely on their parents to bring them food while they learn to hunt, Wilson said, raising concern about their chances of survival without the nest.

The organization said state and federal law safeguards nests of migratory birds while they are active and that it had contacted authorities. State Sen. Erik Bottcher also called for work on and near the tower to stop until the owls had left safely, and said there should be accountability if protections were breached.

It remains unclear what happened to the rest of the owls or who ordered the roof removed. The state investigation is continuing.