Posted on 08/09/2021 11:00:07 AM PDT by SJackson
Last October, a barred owl showed up in the Ramble, the woodsy section of Central Park just north of the lake, and crowds of birders gathered at its preferred hemlock tree like it was a hot new bakery. At a time when many in the city turned to birding and the urban outdoors, Barry, as people called the owl, became part celebrity, part mascot — the most recognizable bird in the park since the Hot Duck of 2018. Barred owls aren’t uncommon, even in the city, but unlike the snowy owl that thrilled birders in Central Park for a time before moving on, Barry stuck around. But just shy of a year after its arrival, the owl’s reign over Central Park has come to an end — he was killed by a vehicle in the early morning hours on Friday. Hit by a car! What could be a more New York death than that?
The Central Park Conservancy announced the owl’s death in a tweet that tries to detail what happened: “The barred owl made contact with a Conservancy maintenance vehicle at approximately 2:30 a.m.” But this sounds a bit like the avian version of “officer-involved shooting.” Did Barry hit the truck? Did the truck hit Barry? We’ll never know. Either way, it’s the end of the longest-standing birding event of the pandemic. Birds of the tristate, take note: Central Park needs a new celebrity bird.
“we’re from the government and we’re here to . . well that didn’t go so well”.
Barry’s Live mattered…
It was a hit job.
All the rats got together and hired a hit man.
A few years ago I noticed an eagle perched on a tree limb overhanging the road. Slowed down thinking I could stop, beyond the limb, and get a picture. As I approached he left, initially dropping to nearly windshield level before gaining height. Hate to think of how many federal regulations I would have violated if I hit him.
Roadside eagles, hawks, and owls are often eyeing the shoulder on the opposite side of the road. It’s not uncommon for them to swoop into traffic if they see prey.
Admittedly I have no idea what the park Conservancy does.
But I have to wonder what they would need to be doing driving around at 2:30 AM.
My guess at what they do is like park maintenance.
“Slowed down thinking I could stop, beyond the limb, and get a picture.”
Slowed down thinking I could stop beyond the limb and get a picture.
Cousin Jeffery out doing night patrol. The Parks Department never sleeps.
Hate to think of how many federal regulations I would have violated if I hit him.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Some friends & I were on a daylong hike - I believe it was in George Washington National Forest. The destination was a large water reservoir. Anyway, the trail crossed several dirt/gravel ‘forest roads’. We had just crossed one & not too far down the trail we came across a Cooper’s Hawk, lying in the trail on her back ... very unusual. The only thing we could figure out was that she had been flying low across the road & a vehicle hit her - momentum carried her into the woods.
The two friends I was with are birders & also have participated in bird capture/banding, so they are knowledgeable beyond the usual hiker level. We carefully wrapped her in a towel we had with us, wrapping to contain/avoid clawed feet. I had a bandana that we put over her head loosely to keep her calm. We carried her with us the 2 miles to the reservoir & got in touch with the caretaker (no cells phones with us at that time). He made some calls & found the closest place we could take her - a vet who also would take wild animals (for transfer to a wildlife rehab facility once stabilized). The caretaker warned us MULTIPLE times to take the bird straight to the vet - just being in possession of her was a federal offense (or so he said). My friends were well aware of what legally could be an issue so we acknowledged the warnings, although his multiple warnings got tiresome after about the 4th time ... he meant well.
We had a vehicle at the reservoir & promptly took the hawk to the vet. The tech came out after she’d taken the hawk in back & asked if we’d had any issues with her feet/claws ... no we had not. One of the birding couple called the next day to inquire about the hawk - we got the sad news that her back was broken & she had been euthanized. Even with that devastating news, we felt good about what we did. The hawk would not have survived the night - some predator would have gotten her, so she had a peaceful ending rather than being torn apart for dinner. That being said, nature is ‘cruel’, but that’s the way it goes for animals/birds in the wild.
Guessing that is humor.
If not, since they immediately informed the Urban Park Rangers of the incident, I don’t think patrol is one of their duties.
Cousin Jeffrey didn’t get where he is by just doing the minimum.
If a citizen did it they’d be in jail for ten years; gov’t official? Oops, well then I guess we’re good.
“The barred owl made contact with a Conservancy maintenance vehicle at approximately 2:30 a.m.”
—
What was a maintenance truck doing in the park in the middle of the night?
Don’t know about ten years, unless the particular owl is endangered, but there would be reprecussions. And if common sense prevailed, it wouldn’t have been in an hour or two. And could well have required legal representation. Were the owl endangered. In fairness to the driver, if not endangered, probably not an issue. Doubt they’d charge a citizen for illegal hunting with a pickup. Maybe citizen Cheney or citizen Trump.
What is anyone doing in central park at 230 am. Criminals excepted.
Well Owl be Durned
[[Hit by a car! What could be a more New York death than that?]]
died after a knockout game punch to the noggin?
You haven’t lived until you hit a turkey on departure at 60 mph. Windshield, A-pillar, roof and a gooey mess all over. Thank goodness for Farmers Insurance.
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