
Eric M. Velez, an animal control officer with the T.J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, holds a Barred Owl that had spent most of Thursday roosting at the entrance to the Holyoke Health Center on Maple Street. Earlier in the day, officials believed the owl would leave its perch once darkness fell. But, when it didn’t, Velez took the owl into custody as a precautionary measure. (c) Greg Saulmon / The Republican 2012
Every once in a while my interest in birds and my day job in the world of breaking news intertwine.
Today, I got a tip at the office that an owl was roosting at the entrance to the Holyoke Health Center complex on Maple Street, which is about a block from my apartment. I was tied up with other tasks, and finally got out there nearly two hours later. I was happy (and lucky) to find the owl still there, with a whole lot of people stopping by to take pictures.
An animal control officer eventually captured the owl later in the evening as a precautionary measure when the bird didn’t leave its perch after nightfall. After spending the night Springfield’s T.J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, the owl will likely be transferred to the very capable hands of Tom Ricardi.
I’ll post more later — but for now, here are two stories and a photo gallery I posted over the course of my work day:
– Barred Owl roosts, draws crowd at Holyoke Health Center
– Photos: Barred Owl makes appearance at Holyoke Health Center