January 8, 2021 – West Bend, WI – There was some fallout about the fate of the mother owl following a report on WashingtonCountyInsider.com that her nesting site had been boarded up.
For the past few years neighbors in West Bend enjoyed watching nature as a mother great horned owl nested in a cubby hole on the south side of the old West Bend Brewery. While one or two owlets may have been lost each year due to nearby electrical lines, the community, photo enthusiasts and birders really enjoyed the experience.
After the report the nesting site was covered, many wondered what would happen to the mother owl.
“Whoever boarded up the nesting site is thinking smart,” said Jean Lord a local bird expert with the Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Fredonia.
“This is perfect because this is the time of year when the bird will be looking to lay her eggs and they prevented that,” she said. “The birds are resourceful. At this point that bird has enough time to find another location, lay the eggs and raise their young.”
Lord said great horned owls don’t breed every year.
Questioned whether the bird would continue to nest in the area or go to a friendlier community, Lord indicated that was hard to say.
“Because that cavity has been her home base that is a place she is familiar with but if there are not enough tall trees and wood lot around, she will relocate to where there is a more protective area,” she said.
The trees, she said, are the big key.
“Obviously, she had enough trees for protection by the side of that building and there’s got to be enough trees around. These birds are not stupid,” she said. “They don’t want to be a sitting duck for other predators.  She will relocate to a place that will be a refuge and provide security.”
The plywood was placed over the nesting area because the old West Bend Brewery, at the northeast corner of N. Main Street and W. Washington Street (415-485 N. Main Street), is destined for the wrecking ball. If the owl were nesting, that project would be delayed.
The developer wants to level the former West Bend Brewery and bring in 181 apartments and retail space. HKS Holdings, LLC, plans to purchase and redevelop the former West Bend Brewery site at the intersection of N. Main Street and E. Washington Street.
Old West Bend Brewery to be leveled
The Plan Commission reviewed and endorsed a concept plan for the redevelopment of this area on October 6, 2020 and the zoning request is consistent with development proposal.
The purpose of the rezoning is to facilitate the redevelopment of this property and the property to the north as one coordinated development.
