Installing an Owl Box
TAWNY OWL BOX - FROM WILDLIFEBOXES.CO.UK
BACKGROUND TO OWLS
It’s that time of year again when you start to clean out your bird boxes from this years breeding season. It’s also a great time to install Owl boxes, both Tawny Owl and Barn Owl readily take to man made boxes, due to the now common practice of tidying woodlands, removing suspect limbs from trees and the conversion of old barns in to homes has reduced nesting sites for both species.
They both need our help and we are lucky enough to own 8 acres of ancient woodland next to our property, which is an idea habitat for Tawny Owls. We have been fortunate enough to have had Tawny Owls breeding in our orchard for the last 4 years, all producing the next generation of owls.
Tawny Owls are purely nocturnal hunters and will only come out when it’s dark so seeing them is not always easy, but at this time of year, September into November, they are actively calling and proclaiming their territories, warding off potential owls from their patch. So it is a great time to put up new boxes for this seasons young to find new homes and territories of their own. Historically, box design hasn’t changed a great deal over the years, however certain specifications need to be met to allow the boxes to become used, and to last.
Tawny Owls are the classic ‘brown’ owl that occupy woodlands and large gardens with adequate tree cover. Their prey mainly consists of small rodents, but they are also opportunists and will take bats, frogs, worms and even young rabbits. Unlike Barn Owls who like a large space to nest, Tawnys usually like more confined space like cavities and hollows in trees.
Safety- I must stress that Tawny Owls are highly sensitive to disturbance especially during the breeding season when they have eggs and young. They can be quite dangerous when approached so it’s advisable to leave them well alone until they have left the nest. Due to this behavior, a potential site should be considered before erecting a box, a garden with small children and dogs might be inappropriate.
Position & Location - The most common location to site a box would be in a large mature deciduous tree within a woodland, which seems to be the more popular choice in Northern Europe. You can also put boxes up in coniferous woodlands but make sure it’s within the woodland and not on the fringes as they are more sheltered and out of direct sunlight. Always ensure there is a clear flight path to the box removing any potential obstructions where possible.
Height & Orientation - The height should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) with an ideal height of at least 12 feet (3.7 meters) or higher if at all possible. The orientation should be away from the prevailing wind so generally avoid West and South West, although deep in a woodland this may not need to be the case as it’s well protected from the elements.
Note: You are responsible for your own safety – assess the risks and be careful.
Fixing - Fixing your box to the tree should be done using galvanised nails or some brass plated screws, you can use ratchet straps or polypropylene rope to fix it which saves damaging the tree. All Wildlife Boxes come complete with all the fixing and substrate required. ( All fixings supplied by Wildlife Boxes)
Substrate - Adding wood shavings/chippings will give a nice thermal layer at the base of the box, like most Owls, Tawnys do not build nests, although sometimes they will mash up dried pellets and use that as a base to the lay eggs on. Tawny Owls will also use a variety of abandoned nests including Crows, Wood Pigeons and other large bird species. (Substrate supplied by Wildlife Boxes)
End of Season Clearance - Regardless of nest type, young Owlets usually leave the nest at around 3-4 weeks of age, this is known as ‘branching’. It’s much less important to maintain the internal area the Tawny Owl box compared to a Barn Owl’s. The vast majority of the contents can be removed when the young have left. The nest box should be checked yearly to ensure they’re still well-fixed or tightened, in good overall condition and dry inside.
Check Fixings - With tree-mounted nest boxes always be aware that trees expand as they grow and nest boxes can become loose and the exposed parts of screws and nails gradually disappear into the tree. Any straps wrapped around a trunk or branch may need to be slackened off.
Tawny Owls are one of our earliest breeders and typically lay around mid-March. However, eggs have been reported as early as December. Early Autumn is usually the best time for any work to be done in or around the nest. Tawny Owls will breed at least a month before Barn Owls.
Final Note - Tawny Owls are highly territorial and will protect the breeding site fiercely, so it’s advisable to wear full face and head protection, even outside the breeding season. Also, with all birds regardless of protected status, it’s illegal to interfere with birds during the breeding season and is an offence prosecutable by law.
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