{
  "id": 15944217,
  "title": "Photographers are flocking to New York City for an unusual reason: The chance to photograph barn owls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/photographers-are-flocking-to-new-york-city-for-an-unusual-reason-the",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-21T19:52:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Camera World",
    "slug": "digital-camera-world",
    "url": "https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/photography/nature-and-wildlife-photography/photographers-are-flocking-to-new-york-city-for-an-unusual-reason-the-chance-to-photograph-barn-owls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New York City has become a hotspot for photographers, not for the usual cityscapes, but for an unusual subject: a family of barn owls. This unexpected occurrence has drawn a crowd of photographers and birdwatchers to Central Park’s Upper West Side, near a water tower where the owls have set up their nest. While New York is home to other unusual birds like Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, it's rare to spot barn owls in the city. According to experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this family of owls might be the first recorded instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in recent history. The owls, consisting of an adult and five fledglings, have been living in the area, causing quite a stir. The barn owls' presence near New York City is unusual due to the species' typical range, which doesn't extend into the city. Eastern screech owls, barred owls, and northern saw-whet owls are more commonly seen in Central Park. The barn owl family has become somewhat of a celebrity in the city, with photographers and birdwatchers eagerly waiting at dusk to catch a glimpse of the owls amidst the urban landscape. However, this newfound attention comes with responsibility. Wildlife organizations advise maintaining a respectful distance and using long telephoto lenses to avoid disturbing the birds. Photographers and birdwatchers are reminded to move slowly and quietly, never to chase or startle the owls. Flash photography is strictly prohibited as it can impair the owls' night vision.",
  "summary": "A family of barn owls has been spotted nesting near Central Park, which is believed to be the first time in modern history that the species has nested in NYC",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}