15-05-2025
Killing fields: powerful owls the latest victims of region's development boom
The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter.
The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms.
Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park.
Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week.
The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died.
The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road.
"It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said.
"To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species."
"Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment."
Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months.
Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets.
Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive.
"There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said.
"They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl."
He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring.
"We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said.
"It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow.
"With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go."
"To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern."
The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter.
The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms.
Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park.
Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week.
The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died.
The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road.
"It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said.
"To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species."
"Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment."
Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months.
Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets.
Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive.
"There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said.
"They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl."
He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring.
"We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said.
"It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow.
"With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go."
"To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern."
The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter.
The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms.
Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park.
Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week.
The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died.
The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road.
"It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said.
"To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species."
"Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment."
Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months.
Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets.
Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive.
"There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said.
"They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl."
He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring.
"We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said.
"It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow.
"With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go."
"To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern."
The deaths of two powerful owls have been blamed on rapid urban growth and infrastructure development across the Lower Hunter.
The owls, listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, are the largest of all Australian owls. Males grow to 65 centimetres in height and weigh up to 1.7 kilograms.
Typical habitat is densely wooded areas such as those that have recently been destroyed around Minmi and Rankin Park.
Hunter Bird Observers Club committee member Rob Kyte was alerted to a distressed owl in Hudson Park, Kotara, last week.
The rescued male bird, which had a damaged eye, beak and wing, initially showed promising signs of recovery, but eventually died.
The next day, Mr Kyte found a female owl that had been hit by a vehicle on the side of Hillisbrough Road.
"It was quite sad because it probably means there is a tree hollow somewhere that has eggs or young that wouldn't have survived," he said.
"To have two birds taken out of the system at this time of year is a massive hit for species."
"Powerful owls are an apex predator, they need mature woodland, tall trees and a dark environment, and we are losing that a lot in Newcastle at the moment."
Mr Kyte's comments echo those of Hunter Wildlife Rescue, which has been called to rescue increased numbers of koalas and other native animals over the past 18 months.
Government bureaucrats and developers routinely responded to community concerns about habitat loss with reports and studies that argue impacts on native fauna will be minimised, despite increased instances of dead and injured wildlife appearing in suburban streets.
Mr Kyte said he suspected the two owls had been pushed out of their homes and had been struggling to survive.
"There's just not enough room for them; a peer in another territory is not going to tolerate them moving in, so they are going to find it tough going," he said.
"They may end up taking alternative prey, like a rat that has been poisoned, which will end up killing the owl."
He said he doubted the Lower Hunter powerful owl population would recover given the widespread clearing that was occurring.
"We have definitely seen a decline in established populations," he said.
"It takes over 100 years for a hollow to form in a tree. From a powerful owl perspective, it's probably about 150 years because they need a large hollow.
"With these mature trees being taken as they are, there's just nowhere left for them to go."
"To have an Apex predator like that in the environment is a sign of a healthy environment. When we start to take out trees and the birds disappear then it's a real cause for concern."
