Can I put an owl box in my garden?

Tawny owls like to nest in a hollow tree trunks, so nesting boxes are tube-shaped to mimic their natural nesting site. Alternatively, leave any natural hollow branches in your garden for them as natural nesting sites where it’s not dangerous to do so. Little owl boxes are long with a hole at the top.

Where do you place a Little Owl nesting box?

The Little Owl nestbox should be erected horizontally a minimum of 3 metres (10 feet) above the ground on a wall top, beam or tree branch so that Little Owl owlets can walk in and out prior to fledging. Little Owls seem to prefer nestboxes situated in open-sided or open-fronted buildings rather than in enclosed places.

Do little owls use nest boxes?

Little Owls seem to prefer nestboxes placed in open-sided or open fronted buildings rather than enclosed types. A ‘Nestbox Hanging Kit’ is included with all Barn Owl Trust Little Owl nestboxes or can be purchased separately if you have made your own box.

How do I attract owls to my garden UK?

How to encourage wild Barn Owls

  1. Manage land for Barn Owls.
  2. Provide a roosting and nesting place.
  3. Avoid using Rat Poison (rodenticides).
  4. Offer extra food in bad weather.
  5. Buy from wildlife-friendly farmers.
  6. Help your local Barn Owl Group.
  7. Start your own Barn Owl Project.
  8. Object to damaging rural developments.

How high up does an owl box need to be?

15-20 feet high
Place a barn owl nest box at least 15-20 feet high, but be sure the opening is shaded from the sun and wind. If the box is mounted on a pole, use a baffle to prevent cats, raccoons, and other predators from reaching it.

When should an owl box be installed?

Owls nest much earlier than other species, so boxes should be put up by January or February to give the owls plenty of time to find their new home.

How do you attract small Owls?

Little Owls will readily take to boxes placed in old farm buildings in a known territory. They will also use boxes in trees or on poles; boxes placed just above a hedge line seem to be most attractive.

Will owls nest in my garden UK?

There are many different species of owl, though the barn owl and the tawny owl are the most common types in the UK. To attract owls, you will have to provide nesting boxes for them where hollow tree branches or other natural nest sites are not available.

Which way should an owl box face?

They are much more susceptible to disturbance around their nest site than barn owls. Their nests should be out of prevailing winds, so face yours south east.

How do I keep squirrels out of my owl box?

My first attempt to prevent squirrels from taking over the box had consisted of a 14-inch-wide piece of metal flashing wrapped around the tree trunk both above and below the box. This seemed to deter those pesky intruders for the better part of a year, but the persistence of squirrels can never be doubted.

How do you attract owls to owl boxes?

Tips for Attracting Owls

  1. Install nesting boxes to provide owls with a secure location to set up home.
  2. Don’t prune large branches from trees.
  3. Put outdoor flood lights on timers.
  4. Provide bird baths.
  5. Mow the lawn less often to give owls a more appealing hunting ground.

What kind of nest boxes do little owls use?

A wide variety of nestbox designs have been used by Little Owls. The essential design requirements are; a very small entrance hole (70mm), a narrow tunnel or baffle arrangement, and a dark nesting chamber.

When to clear out an owl nestbox?

After 2 or 3 years of occupation the box should be cleared out during autumn or winter. As with Barn Owls, Little Owl nestboxes should be cleared out periodically to reduce the risk of young owls getting out prematurely. Any depth of debris more than about 1” (25mm) should be removed.

Where do you place your owl boxes?

The boxes are mostly sited in old crew yards and isolated farm buildings, as the south and mid-Lincolnshire population seem to like these structures. It is most important that the boxes are placed in an open-fronted building—we have only two or three pairs in enclosed barns as Little Owls seem to shun dark places.

What makes Bob Sheppard’s barn owl box so special?

The Barn Owl Trust is grateful to Bob Sheppard for providing the details. Bob’s design is simple to build, the access door makes cleaning out very easy, and the depth of the box helps to prevent the young from falling out of the box prematurely. The box is made of 12mm tanalised softwood ply and held together with 40mm rust-proof screws.