Hong Kong nature reserve shut down as birders flock to see rare owl chicks

Photographers and birdwatchers make a beeline to spot rare owl chicks born after four years

A Brown Wood Owl (AFP via Getty Images)

A Hong Kong nature reserve has been partly closed after birdwatchers thronged to catch a glimpse of some rare owl chicks.

The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in the Chinese financial hub last week said brown wood owl chicks had been born within the nature reserve for the first time in four years.

The announcement attracted scores of photographers and bird watchers, prompting the nature reserve to close a part of the site to prevent visitors from "disturbing the owl chicks".

Brown wood owls are known for their distinctively deep and dark brown eyes and are found commonly in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Taiwan, but are rare in Hong Kong.

"The owls attracted much interest among visitors and photographers, some of which could potentially disturb them and we decided to temporarily close the road that provided access to the birds, a measure we communicated via social media," Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden said in a post on Facebook.

It added: "We also appreciate that some enthusiastic photographers must have been disappointed, but as a nature conservation institute, the well-being and protection of the animals and plants in our nature reserve has priority."

The nature reserve added that for the protection of the owl family, the part of the site will remain closed until further notice.

The Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden on Saturday had shared a photo collage of three owls and a picture of a large group of birdwatchers pointing their long-lens cameras at a them. The post was later deleted by the nature reserve, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

A spokesperson with the reserve told local media that birdwatchers with big cameras began to show up shortly after the first pictures of the owls were posted on social media. The reserve had reportedly warned against using laser beams or owl hooters to attract the birds and eventually decided to close the road.

It said visitors willing to see the owl species up close can visit a captive owl named Woody at its raptor sanctuary.