An Owl Is Attacking And Injuring Residents Of A Netherlands Town

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

While Paris worries about mystery drones, a Dutch town is confronting an aerial threat of its own: owl attacks.

In recent weeks, the culprit, a European eagle owl, has injured dozens of residents in Purmerend, about 10 miles north of Amsterdam. Known locally as the "terror owl" and "horror owl," the bird targeted two runners on Tuesday, inflicting head wounds that required stitches, according to Agence France Press.

The bird has also attacked and traumatized residents and employees at a Purmerend home for the disabled, the home's spokeswoman, Liselotte de Bruijin, told AFP:

"During the day there's no problem, but at night we now only venture outside armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats, anything really, to protect ourselves," said De Bruijn.



http://www.npr.org/2015/02/25/389035027/an-owl-is-attacking-and-injuring-residents-of-a-netherlands-town

[GummyBearz]

1. Good lord

Terrorist owls need to be stopped and they need to be stopped ASAP. This isn't about the owl's religion, so don't bring that into the argument. Western nations are under attack and we need help, no matter what color the owl is.

[LondonReign2]

47. IMO, this requires boots in the air

[rusty fender]

50. LOLOLOL!

Excellent!

[hifiguy]

2. Whooooo has been trespassing in the owl's territory?

That is one big-assed owl:

It is one of the largest species of owl, and females can grow to a total length of 75 centimetres (30 in), with a wingspan of 188 centimetres (74 in), males being slightly smaller.

[Rex]

3. Great horned owls ain't tiny, far from it.

I find it strange that it is attacking people at night. I wonder if people are getting too close to the nest or if there is a yearling that fell out of the nest.

[AtomicKitten]

4. bad birdie

[Dont call me Shirley]

5. Sequel to Hitchcocks "The Birds"....The Owls.

https://m.

[Phentex]

6. We had a couple of attacks on runners here and I almost did not believe it...

but one was on my next door neighbor. She had been running early in the morning before dawn and it was in about the same place that another person reported it. Scared the bejeezus out of her!

[lpbk2713]

7. "This encroachment chit has gone far enough."

Nature strikes back.

Zoooom.

[pipi_k]

8. When questioned about his motives

the owl said he just didn't give a hoot anymore.

[Exhibit A]

9. LOL, n/t

[safeinOhio]

12. The questions just made

his head spin.

[JHB]

54. I'd roll my eyes, but...

[Nuclear Unicorn]

14. Well, owl be damned.

[Cleita]

10. Weird. Rachel did an owl attack story up in Oregon last month.

I have owls in my trees, big ones, but they only come out after dark and they don't attack people. What's making them active during the day and making them want to attack very large prey?

[leftynyc]

24. I do know

that when animals that are usually "night owls" like raccoons come out during the day, it's usually because they're rabid. I have no idea if that's what's going on with these owls but would hope they're testing those who are wounded by them.

[Maedhros]

11. It's a global conspiracy!

The owls are not what they seem...

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/01/30/city-warns-park-goers-aggressive-owls-multiple-attacks/22599667/

[hifiguy]

13. So says the Log Lady.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. It kind of cracks me up that they want to move it "someplace else..."

Let those other people deal with it.

[MrScorpio]

16. I've been to Purmerend

My wife has a cousin who stayed there once. Nice place.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

29. And how do we know you're not just trying to lure people there to

become sacrifices for your Owl Overlords??!!

[jberryhill]

31. Bill O'Reilly was there longer

[countryjake]

17. Thanks for sharing...I love that story.

I sure hope they don't get permission to move her.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. I hope so too. Not the usual story one hears on the BBC. nt

[Rex]

18. Just in case someone is wondering about their size.

Small dogs and cats are lucky owls like skunks.

[ND-Dem]

20. Beautiful bird.

[jberryhill]

32. Who put tattoos on it?

[Rex]

39. Bad.

[pinboy3niner]

40. They're not talon.

[ND-Dem]

19. I feel like this thread title should be the title of a poem.

"An Owl Is Attacking And Injuring Residents Of A Netherlands Town"

During the day, there's no problem
But at night, we only venture out
Armed with umbrellas, helmets and hats
Anything really, to protect ourselves.

[vanlassie]

21. Egg-sellent!!

[Tanuki]

30. My favorite owl poem is Richard Wilbur's "A Barred Owl"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179529

A Barred Owl
By Richard Wilbur
The warping night air having brought the boom
Of an owl’s voice into her darkened room,
We tell the wakened child that all she heard
Was an odd question from a forest bird,
Asking of us, if rightly listened to,
“Who cooks for you?” and then “Who cooks for you?”

Words, which can make our terrors bravely clear,
Can also thus domesticate a fear,
And send a small child back to sleep at night
Not listening for the sound of stealthy flight
Or dreaming of some small thing in a claw
Borne up to some dark branch and eaten raw.

[ND-Dem]

44. thanks, i'd never seen that one before. dark for a favorite though?

[Tanuki]

45. For me it is more realistic than dark. We had owls, hawks, etc. in the trees on our property

when I was a child in West Virginia, and I was well aware of what they did for a living. An owl flew down our chimney one night when I was about 10 years old.

[ND-Dem]

46. i didn't mean only owls; it's also a comment on life & humanity, i think. i've always

found wilbur a bit dark.

[FSogol]

22. There is only one solution:

FSogol's Eagle Owl with Garlic and Rosemary

1 European Eagle Owl
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnish


1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

2. Rub owl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season owl with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of owl. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around owl. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over owl. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until owl is golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.

4. Transfer owl to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent owl with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut owl in half lengthwise and arrange on platter. Spoon sauce and garlic around owl. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

[brooklynite]

27. That goes with a Sauvignon Blanc? Or a Riesling?

[jberryhill]

33. Roll the owl in corn flakes first

[FSogol]

34. Oh noes!111! Skinner, help!

[LiberalEsto]

53. I don't suppose you have a recipe for cornflake-breaded fried owl

[hifiguy]

55. That owl looks pretty baked to be fried.

[LiberalEsto]

56. lol

owl on purple haze

[kelliekat44]

23. Rabid owl? If only everyone had guns. nt

[fredamae]

26. It is happening - here - in OR too

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/pets-and-animals/2015/02/13/salem-oregon-owl-attacks-sign/23357411/

Rachel Maddow loved the story...designed warning sign--that is now employed by the parks ...
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/02/06/msnbcs-maddow-covers-salem-owl-attacks-gives-warning/23003031/

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

28. I think those bastards are organizing! :-P

[pinboy3niner]

35. You mean the Netherlands bunch is just an offhoot of Salem?

Scary!

[fredamae]

37. lol n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

38. I was about to post a call out on this thread. It wouldn't be complete without your

droppings of wisdom.

[fredamae]

36. Well, clearly-it'sa Global Movement.... :)

[Sunlei]

41. must be nesting season, owls fiercely protect a nest area

[eppur_se_muova]

42. Just post a few of these -- problem solved.

[Renew Deal]

43. Here's a photo of one of the attacks.

[pinboy3niner]

48. They appear to be a well-knit gang. nt

[McCamy Taylor]

49. "The Birds"!

[KamaAina]

51. Attack, Hedwig!

Owlicus attaccius!

[SoCalNative]

52. Currently living in Amsterdam

I just might have to make a pilgrimage to see this creature.

[MrScorpio]

57. There's a nice Indonesian/Chinese joint over in Hoorn as well

Maybe you can stop by for a bite.