Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Bob_Iowa]
#6743739
01/25/20 11:28 AM
01/25/20 11:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697
Idaho, Lemhi County
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3/4" CDX. The base dimensions I use are 12x12". The front is 12x16. Back is 12x20. Sides, of course are angled 12x16 to 12x20. Top is 20x20" to overhang a couple inches on the sides and front. Hole centered 5" down from the top is oblong 2 1/2 x 4" (long axis horizontal). This way, two full boxes can be made from a sheet of plywood. If you make them from cedar or redwood dimensional lumber, they will last a lot longer, but, of course, much more expensive. Don't use OSB as it starts to flake and fall apart in about 2 years. Don't paint them. Work good for boreals, saw-whets, screech owls. Need to be at least 20' off the ground. Best if there is no brush immediately below the box.
The last image i put in (above) is an adult female boreal owl just returned to the nest box. They drop their wings like that, then quickly squeeze into the box, turn around, and peek out watching.
Very important, especially in colder climates, to provide 4-5" of nesting material in the bottom of the box (I use planer shavings) or the eggs will freeze in early spring.
Not mentioned above, but kestrels really take to the boxes as well if the earlier-nesting owls aren't using them.
Jack
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: trapNH]
#6743829
01/25/20 01:01 PM
01/25/20 01:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,019 Northern Maine
Bruce T
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 42,019
Northern Maine
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I am sure this wont be popular, but why would anyone want more owls around? Less wild house cats running around killing everything.
Nevada bound
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Bob_Iowa]
#6743857
01/25/20 01:44 PM
01/25/20 01:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697
Idaho, Lemhi County
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trapNH -
The smaller owls that are cavity nesters are generally mouse/vole specialists. The more of them I have around my place, the more feed there is for domestics (cows/horses) and for deer/elk. Too, the larger platform-nesting owls do tend to keep the house cat numbers down a bit.
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Bob_Iowa]
#6743941
01/25/20 03:28 PM
01/25/20 03:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,049 St. Louis Co, Mo
BigBob
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,049
St. Louis Co, Mo
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I've found that leaving 1 side of the box open will keep the squirrels from taking over. A short lip on that side will keep the wood chip/saw dust nesting material in, and I put that on the north side to keep direct sun out.
Every kid needs a Dog and a Curmudgeon.
Remember Bowe Bergdahl, the traitor.
Beware! Jill Pudlewski, Ron Oates and Keven Begesse are liars and thiefs!
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Gulo]
#6743967
01/25/20 03:58 PM
01/25/20 03:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 690 SD
Tray
"Wilson Jr."
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"Wilson Jr."
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 690
SD
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Do the smaller owls help control mice/voles? Jack That’s a awesome picture.
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Tray]
#6744414
01/25/20 09:27 PM
01/25/20 09:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,120 Minnesota
330-Trapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,120
Minnesota
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Do the smaller owls help control mice/voles? Jack That’s a awesome picture. Love that pict. Too!
NRA and NTA Life Member www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Gulo]
#6744433
01/25/20 09:45 PM
01/25/20 09:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,503 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,503
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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Boreal Owl in Alaska Jack Absolutely gorgeous, Jack. The lighting, shade above accenting the head , perfect.
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Bob_Iowa]
#6744951
01/26/20 10:02 AM
01/26/20 10:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
"On The Other Hand"
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"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Tray -
Yes. Seems to be important to clean out the boxes and put in fresh wood chips if the box was used.
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Re: Owl nest boxes
[Re: Gulo]
#6745177
01/26/20 12:46 PM
01/26/20 12:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,175 McGrath, AK
white17
"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,175
McGrath, AK
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Do the smaller owls help control mice/voles? Jack So will that owl actually utilize all of that prey herself or is she "putting food by" for when her eggs hatch ? OR.......is it just habit for her to keep hunting whenever the opportunity presents ?
Mean As Nails
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