Tawny Owl Box advice please

[werdnal]

Hi,

Been thinking of getting hubby a Tawny Owl Box for Christmas. We must have had an excellent breeding year locally for tawnys as they have been shouting outside nearly every night for the last couple of weeks. They start just before dark and go on until dawn some nights!

We have our own field in front of the house, with a few very large mature sycamores which could be suitable for siting a box. Been looking on various websites for info, but just wondered of anyone has had success with a box and can recommend a good supplier, or give me any do's and don'ts.

Thanks, W

[johnpw]

Not sure if this will help but below an extract from an email I received earlier in the year.
"However, if you do
wish to find out more information concerning Barn Owl Boxes please visit
the Hawk & Owl Trust website Hawk and Owl Trust | Home and there is a
booklet you can purchase called Boxes, Baskets and Platforms which
located in this link
Hawk and Owl Trust | Shop/Donate | Boxes, Baskets and Platforms. "

[Hedge Witch]

I made my own once, so can't help with suppliers. It faced east, at a fairly shallow angle (less than 45o to horizontal), had an overhang to keep rain out and was situated about 10-12 feet up in an Oak between farmland and a garden. It was a roaring success! They used it from the first year it was up and almost every year till it fell apart.

[Jez]

I've also been considering putting one up in my garden as well as bat boxes! What I would like to know is how high up do they need to be?!?

Thanks

Jez

[Hedge Witch]

I was limited by how high the ladder would take me. I never was good at tree climbing, especially with an oeoeoeoe great box made out of recycled wood in tow.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

I made my own once, so can't help with suppliers. It faced east, at a fairly shallow angle (less than 45o to horizontal), had an overhang to keep rain out and was situated about 10-12 feet up in an Oak between farmland and a garden. It was a roaring success! They used it from the first year it was up and almost every year till it fell apart.

Ah ha, thanks for the answer to my question!

[Rookie47]

Try the RSPB site there is a diagram for tawny a owl box.

[wellies101]

This is a very basic design with some advice, but its to do with constructing it yourself. However, there are notes on breeding season, and advice on when to put it up and how to install it:

http://www.bto.org/gbw/Tawny_Owl_Survey/TAWOW_BOX.pdf

[wellies101]

Or you could buy one:

Tawny Owl Boxes

[Hedge Witch]

I think W wants to buy one