The roof of a water tower where a family of celebrity barn owls had been nesting in Manhattan’s Upper West Side has been removed, sparking outrage among New Yorkers who have been captivated by the elusive birds.

The barn owl family was discovered weeks ago, drawing crowds of people in the street eager to get a glimpse of the birds, including nature photographers. It is believed to be the first documented instance of barn owls nesting in Manhattan in modern history.

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