Goosander & nest boxes

[FUDGEY]

I have a couple of owl boxes that I am going to put up in the Autumn, but I am now thinking of putting them up close to each other so an owl can use one & hopefully a goosander the other. I intend putting them up near a stream where I watch the kingfishers. Firstly will a goosander readily use a box (I'm sure they would) and secondly what height would you think they prefer? I'm thinking about 6 to 8 feet. Hope someone can help. I will make sure they are not to close to the stream as I don't want any owlets drowning.

[valleyforge]

Hi there fudgey ... I don't have any knowledge of goosanders using nest boxes, but near where I live goosanders have successfully nested and raised broods in the hollow trunk of a (still living) tree, directly adjacent to to a stream, for at least the last 10 years or so ... so it clearly fits their purpose well enough.

The entrance to the nest hole is only about 5ft above the top of the riverbank, but the nest itself is a good 2ft below the hole.

If that's about average for what a goosander considers a suitable nest location, then you'd need quite a big box to replicate those conditions.

Hope this is some help though ... I'd be very interested to hear if you are successful with your owl boxes ... for whatever species happens to adopt them.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

I have a couple of owl boxes that I am going to put up in the Autumn, but I am now thinking of putting them up close to each other so an owl can use one & hopefully a goosander the other. I intend putting them up near a stream where I watch the kingfishers. Firstly will a goosander readily use a box (I'm sure they would) and secondly what height would you think they prefer? I'm thinking about 6 to 8 feet. Hope someone can help. I will make sure they are not to close to the stream as I don't want any owlets drowning.

Hi Fudgey,

This might help:

Goosander Mergus merganser

Hole: Entrance Very Large. Entrance diameter at least 100mm, preferably up to 160mm high and 150mm wide.

Boxes should be placed at medium height initially up to 30 metres from the water's edge with a clear view of, and flight line to, the water. The edge of a wood adjacent to water is a good site to start with, but later boxes may be moved deeper into the wood. Clumping boxes as for Goldeneye may help initially. Boxes must only be sited in safe areas because Goosanders are conspicuous and subject to persecution. Put a layer of dried moss or shavings in the box.

Nest: lined with pieces of rotten wood and much down. Eggs: 8-11, creamy white. Young remain in the nest for one or two days after hatching.

Download the pdf's on this page:

http://www.bto.org/notices/nestbox_guide.htm

Cheers
Jonathan

[FUDGEY]

That's brilliant, thanks for that. All I need to know, great advice once more.

[Hobjob]

There is a big Barn Owl project going on in Suffolk, and they find
that the male will roosts in a nearby owl box whllst the female
is breeding - so two close together may be useful !!

(and jays, and other birds may use them too).

Suffolk Wildlife trust has the details.

[FUDGEY]

That's the box (well large barrel ) up. Thanks for all the help, I'm now confident it will be used because of the great advice.

I didn't know Jays used nest boxes!