Curious, friendly and contemplative.
This is how the
little vizcacheras owls of Parque Sarmiento
are , in Saavedra.
This is a family that has been living in this area since 2012. And although the original nucleus changed, and over the years some of them migrated, they have a
protected site
in this space that again
a concert could put at risk .
The space is delimited and preserved by the residents of the neighborhood, by the
Lechucitas Urbanas Project of Buenos Aires
and by the Parque Sarmiento Athletic Association.
In addition, the study project on the population in the park was declared of
environmental interest by the Buenos Aires Legislature.
On the other hand, their existence becomes relevant because they could be the only ones of their kind with environmental management.
There is no record of them in the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, nor in the North.
And although a couple has been seen in the vicinity of the Lago Lugano Ecological Reserve,
no record of them is known to be kept.
This time the threat to the vizcacheras owls in Parque Sarmiento is a recital that will take place on March 9.
Two bands will play,
Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard.
The pre-sale is already sold out and thousands of people
are expected to attend .
The vizcacheras owls of the Sarmiento Park will be relocated.
Photo courtesy "Urban owls of Buenos Aires"
Laura Borsellino, a specialist in biodiversity conservation, a member of the "Urban Owls of Buenos Aires" project, explained to
Clarín
: "The first couple was seen in 2012. These birds usually
make their nests on the ground.
They can even use empty burrows. For this reason they are known
as vizcacheras owls.This
couple was without a nest for a while and could be seen posing in the goalposts of soccer fields.Then they managed to take advantage of some ravines, near the athletics track, to build a nest for them Burrow type, with pipes that were buried. They liked this new house, they moved in right away and had 6 babies," Laura recalled.
"Later, nets were placed in that area to identify the place, and native species were planted. So, little by little, butterflies and hummingbirds also added.
They eat mostly beetles and toads.
They pose during the day and
go hunting at night.
Now they supported several recitals, and even a Davis Cup. Even the nests could have disappeared when there was a project to replace the athletics track with a rugby field for Los Pumas," recalled Borsellino.
Mutual contemplation.
A curious little owl, looking at Laura Borsellino, a specialist in biodiversity conservation.
Photo courtesy "Urban owls of Buenos Aires"
The coexistence of the owls with the boys and girls who train on the athletics track is so friendly that
the official logo of the clothing is precisely this bird.
The park is under the orbit of the Buenos Aires Sports Secretariat, which depends on the Ministry of Economic Development and Production.
From this area they told
Clarín
that
the little owls will be relocated:
"We are aware of the presence of these birds. The nests are in a green area belonging to the athletics track, intended for jumping. It is not the ideal place, not even for the little owls or for the athletes. In addition, the recital is added, "they explained.
This is how the transfer was decided: "We are going to work together with the Ministry of the Environment to transfer them -in safe conditions and in a way that can be protected-
to a natural reservoir that is located in the park
. It is an area close to the current but outside the track area".
They confirmed that this action will take place before March 1, which is the date of the beginning of the works for the assembly of the recital.
The owls from the park arrived at the place in 2012. Photo courtesy "Urban owls of Buenos Aires"
This species of owl (athene cunicularia)
lives throughout the American continent,
in low grasslands, in agricultural areas, in desert areas and also in urban centers.
Unlike other species of owls,
they have diurnal habits,
and because they are curious, they are easy to spot.
They hunt at night.
Behind this little owl you can see the artificial burrow.
Photo courtesy "Urban owls of Buenos Aires".
"The pandemic revealed the value of green spaces as never before. The implication at the level of mental health was documented. The benefits multiply when there is more biodiversity. In the case of Parque Sarmiento, the impact generated by these birds is also added : their beauty and the particularity of their gaze. They stare, look at us, turn their heads and continue to hold our gaze. They are very curious. It is a surprise, a touch of color. Like butterflies and hummingbirds, owls ( and particularly these vizcacheras owls) surprise us, we love them", describes the agronomist Eduardo Haene, who was director of the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve.
Haene is a teacher and researcher and said that one of her students at the University of Belgrano is developing a project to present to the Buenos Aires government: she is going to propose
that little owls be introduced in other green spaces.
The vizcacheras owls in Parque Sarmiento are protected and will be moved to preserve them.
Photo courtesy "Urban owls of Buenos Aires"
Inside the park there is a reservoir.
Haene understands that it is necessary to make it visible, make it known and expand it: "It would be desirable
for these reservation modules to be extended."
One of the vizcacheras owls that were seen in Costanera Sur and Costanera Norte.
Photo courtesy Club de Observadores de Aves de la Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur.
Simón Tagtachian, from the Bird Observers Club of the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, said that "an attempt was made to introduce them but it was not possible.
The environment was not conducive,
because although there are places with grass, they just coincide with the passage of a lot of people. Nests were made in restricted places, where two families stayed, but in the end
they ended up leaving.
That is why this Sarmiento Park project is important."
He said that last year in Costanera Sur a little owl was registered that they understand was "lost, disoriented, because it is rare to see them on the coast."
That same day she was also sighted in Costanera Norte, on the other side of the City.
The vizcacheras owls are not usually near the riverbank.
This was seen in Costanera Norte and Costanera Sur.
Photo courtesy Club de Observadores de Aves de la Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur.
As Haene told
Clarín
, they enchant not only because of their beauty and because they look at us, but because they create a link with nature that many residents of the City appreciate and value.
after the recital
The Sports Secretariat reported that, through the Sponsorship regime, the producer will compensate the use of the place with a
multipurpose sports floor that will be placed in one of the gyms.
"It will be used for futsal, basketball, volleyball, skate and newcom (an adapted sport, similar to volleyball), among others. In addition, they will be in charge of leveling and reseeding the green space comprised by the athletics track," they assured from the area.
SC
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