built a barn owl box today

[predator]

i built it out of some old scraps of exteria plywood that i,ve been saving but never got round making use of it and always wanted to build one to give something back to nature etc just need to unscrew it apart again now and treat it with some wood preserve etc but as its almost a mtr triangle no idea how the hell its going to get up the tree as i dont climb lol so do you tree monkeys ever get asked to mount/fit owl box,s i was thinking get up there with a rope and pull it up the tree then mount or just build a timber frame/mount to sit it on up the tree etc whats your thoughts please

[Ian Leach]

I wouldn't paint it to be honest especially inside, I've strapped boxes to the tree before, or a simple version of the arborbolt I made up which a tree office seemed to be happy for me to use.

[codlasher]

There's an old GPO pole close to me and my neighbour put a plywood owl box on top of this some years ago. It's painted brown on the outside.

This year the barn owls raised some chicks in it which was good.

I suppose a long ladder or persuade a nearby forum peep to help you put it in the tree...

codlasher

[timberbear]

I've put for boxes up on my holding over the years, two on brand new telegraph poles, cemented in place then the boxes pulled up on pulleys, you could use a sling and pulley higher up to hold it in place. Over the last six years we have ringed over 35 chicks! Last year the parents didn't survive the winter but we have a new pair in the area, so fingers crossed. Have a look on my little website http://www.leechpoolholdings.co.uk. We painted the outside of the box in a green water based wood preserver to help them blend in.

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[delabodge]

theres an active one nearby on a post in an open fireld, seems to be the way to go,,,

[timberbear]

One of the little fellows about to be ringed, although a bit small and a group of juv's a week off fledging. Biggest clutch was seven eggs with six surviving.

 

 

Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

[Sussex Groundie]

I have fitted one to a tree with plastic bolts, only have to be 6ft off the ground apparently

[felixthelogchopper]

I have fitted one to a tree with plastic bolts, only have to be 6ft off the ground apparently

 

Nice pics. Going to be doing similar at a couple of sites over the winter.

[predator]

I have fitted one to a tree with plastic bolts, only have to be 6ft off the ground apparently

 

thats the same one i just built snap but 6ft is a bit low ? i was thinking 20/25 ft etc but not to keen on hights with a bungalow on my back up a ladder

Edited October 2, 2013 by predator

[Sussex Groundie]

This was on a "Barn Owl Box fitting course " at a local large estate, apparently barn owls are quite "thick" and need the box about 6ft off the ground in line with their flight path across a field we were told by an instructor. An old crate on its side in a barn loft is all they need apparently. The boxes in the pics with the tree were purchased approx £95 and that was 3 yrs ago. Thought about making them myself as I make all my own bird boxes.