Jerk alert: Man harasses baby owls at Moss Landing's Haute Enchilada.

The saying goes "You can't fix stupid."

So…can you fix just plain mean?

Humane Wildlife Control is hoping it can at least catch someone who appears to be mean, or at least not so bright. It is offering $500 for information leading to the arrest of the man who decided it would be a good idea to take a long pole and bang around the baby owls in the nest box adjacent to Haute Enchilada Cafe in Moss Landing (633-5843).

His stunt took place around 7:45pm last night and was recorded on video. So too was the reaction of the owlets inside, which was witnessed by live-stream viewers on the popular Teco & Lotte YouTube channel.

(For more on how Teco and Lotte got their names, and the baby owls they share the box with, check out "VIDEO/PHOTOS: Barn owls make Haute Enchilada home in Moss Landing.")

The HWC's Rebecca Dmytryk was among those surprised by the man's harrassment.

"I'm not sure if it was malicious or curious," she says. "Time will tell. But he didn't have the welfare of the owls at heart."

Viewers were quick to alert HWC of the unlawful disturbance. Humane Wildlife Control, which is responsible for installing the nest box and overseeing the owl family, in turn notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The act represents a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To in any way disturb, harass or otherwise harm protected wild birds or active nests is a federal crime. 

The owl nest box, part of the restaurant owners' commitment to environmental stewardship, was installed in December.

Adult barn owls took to the box quickly and by Feb. 3 the first of eight eggs hatched.

The restaurant, the first in the country to employ owls as part of their pest control program, has gathered a following of folks who enjoy watching the owls online and while dining with similar quickness.

As the owlets approach the age where they will take their first flight, the restaurant is hosting a fledging party Friday, April 21.

Tickets are available online at The Haute Enchilada website. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to help install barn owl boxes at local schools.

In fact, one young owl already took flight last night around 2am and has yet to return.

A perch will be installed later today to help facilitate his landing.