Science · Manhattan barn owlsManhattan barn owls: All seven spotted after tower work disturbed nestWritten November 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM UTCWatchTranscript0:07All seven barn owls have turned up after construction disturbed their rooftop nest.0:11Some still return to the damaged water tower, and the borough president wants0:14another week without repairs.0:16Will the work wait while the family adjusts to life elsewhere?0:18Manhattan Borough President Brad Holman Sigal says all seven were spotted Sunday0:22night, November first.0:23That's two adults and five fledglings.0:26The young birds whose whereabouts had been uncertain after workers removed the0:29tower's roof.0:30On October twenty-ninth, we reported that the roof had been removed and the bird's0:34condition and whereabouts were unknown.0:36The latest sighting accounts for the family.0:38Holman Sigal also says they appear to have found other places to rest.0:42Earlier estimates put the family at two adults and five or six young.0:45Those were uncertain counts.0:47The latest count is specifically five fledglings.0:49That change doesn't mean a sixth youngster disappeared.0:52The earlier estimates never settled how many young there were.0:55The tower stands near West70,6th Street and Central Park West, on Manhattan's Upper1:00West Side.1:01The birds nested in a hole in the tower and had been associated with it since at1:04least August.1:05Barn owls are extremely rare in New York City.1:08Experts have described this family as the first known barn owl nesting in Manhattan.1:12That describes the known history of nesting here.1:14Earlier nests could have gone unnoticed.1:16Fleglings were still resting inside the tank when removal work began on October291:20th.1:21Two days later, they made brief visits to the damaged tank, while observers also saw1:25activity high on another building a few blocks away.1:28At least two fledglings were seen that October30, first evening.1:31The broader sighting followed the next night when all seven were accounted for.1:35A few still perched at the old tower, even as the family appeared to be resting1:39elsewhere.1:40Holman Sigal says the owls appear to be adjusting.1:43NYC Bird Alliance says feeding is happening elsewhere too.1:46Birds can rest at another building and still visit their former home, so those1:50returns fit with the apparent move.1:52The state conservation agency has also been working to provide alternative shelter,1:56and a replacement nesting area was erected by November1.1:59Whether this family has occupied that shelter isn't clear.2:02Seeing the birds elsewhere also leaves open how well each youngster is feeding.2:05The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ordered demolition2:08stopped on October twenty-ninth for an investigation.2:12City officials saw workers back the next day and said work apparently continued.2:16They haven't explained whether that activity was demolition or authorized safety2:19work.2:20The state also issued a cease and desist letter after a return visit that Friday.2:24The investigation hasn't produced a public finding here that the owner violated an2:28order.2:28Conservationists have argued the construction might violate state law.2:32Barn owls aren't endangered, but state law protects them, and destroying an active2:35nest is illegal.2:36That protection is why the work faces scrutiny.2:39The birds' return visits also give the dispute an immediate consequence, even after2:43all seven have been found.2:44Holman, Seagal, wants further repairs delayed one more week because some birds still2:48come back.2:49The owner hasn't publicly agreed to that request, and T here is no confirmed restart2:54date.2:54The requested breathing space remains unresolved.2:57The seven birds have been accounted for and appear to be using other roosts.3:00Their continued visits mean the damaged tower is still part of their movements,3:04including while officials weigh when further work can safely proceed.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
