Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)

tags: birds, Eastern Screech-owl, Megascops asio, ornithology, Image of the Day

The photographer writes; From 1996 to 2002 the New York City Parks Department in conjunction with the Urban Park Service (think Park Rangers) conducted a program with the intriguing if vaguely ominous name of "Project X." The purpose of the program was to reintroduce native animal and plant species that had vanished from our city parks and, in some cases, our region.

The "X" in the title referred to the number ten. I found two conflicting explanations for this. One was that the plan was to add ten species a year and the other was that two species would be added to five New York City Parks each year. Neither seems to have occurred in either way for any length of time.

This program was rather mysterious: I had difficulty finding out the details of the program even after directly questioning two of the key participants. I had to rely on the internet to piece together what I now know. I have not even been successful in finding a list of all the organisms involved but from the New York Times archives I learned that plants such as Butterfly Weed and White Turtlehead and animals like Wood frogs, Woodchucks, Eastern Box Turtles and the Luna Moth were introduced to various locations with mostly poor results.

The program was controversial because some felt not enough science was done to predict the potential success of these transplants or the possibility of unintended consequences. For example, a proposal to introduce Chipmunks was quashed when Health Department officials pointed out that this critter was a known host for the ticks that carry Lyme disease.

One of the most well publicized releases involved the Eastern Screech-owl that was a common bird here until it became scarce in the 1960's. In 1998 six rehabilitated owls were released and another thirty-two between 2001 and 2002. Sadly most perished. Local birders think there was too much competition for suitable habitat for them. Gray Squirrels and Northeastern Raccoons use the same limited number of tree cavities the owls need for roosting and nesting. Cars passing along the park drives was another problem. Ingestion of poisoned prey was likely another.

However not all the Eastern Screech-owls perished. At least one pair has been breeding in Central Park. Marie Winn, author and owl aficionado, believes there are presently seven adults. Two pairs have set up housekeeping and are attempting to successfully reproduce this season.

This image is one of the hopeful parents-to-be.

Central Park birding etiquette does not permit me to give their precise locations. Groups of camera flashing visitors might disturb nesting birds and we would not want that would we? Of course not.

Ps The name "screech-owl?" A defensive owl will "screech" if an intruder approaches its nest. I have never heard this vocalization myself even when standing beneath an active nest. These birds are mostly quiet but hearing them trill which they do when not actively hunting, is a treat. On more than one occasion I have mistaken their whistled whinny for the voice of a distant horse. No kidding.