How do I put up a Tawny Owl box with wire?

[Sawsicksteve]

Think you might have problems with a wire tensioner, many release rather abruptly (not what you want 30+ft. up a tree!) and the turnbuckle type can be a bit awkward to release after a while, especially if they 'grow in' to the tree a bit.
If you're deffo using wire, can you not incorporate one or two heavy duty springs in the loop to hang down the side of the branch? The tension will easily cope with the weight of the box yet still allow room for expansion, especially if the branch is of reasonable size.
I've put up plenty of boxes with silage tags and not yet had one chewed by squirrels (unlike the boxes), though I don't have the problem of large numbers of people wandering around. I can imagine the potential damage an owl box could cause if, God forbid, it did drop out of a tree...

[Brocakat]

An alternative, which may be easier to attach than metal wire - would be to use those Nylon ' Tie Wraps ' - which are also called ' Cable Ties '

These come reay-made in various widths & lengths , and are used throughout Industry, the Motor Trade - and even the police for detaining suspects rather than handcuffs.

They arte adjustable , by pulling-up-tight at the one end to tension them.

No screws, tools required & will not rust......

You should be able to visit you lovcal 'Motor-Factor' or even branch of Halfords , to get a few.
Your local friendly garage car-servicing chappie should / could be a source to wheedle a couple of these from - for nothing .

[dhpainter]

I can't seem to find extra long cable ties. The tree is really quite big that the box is going on so I think I need about 3 metres of tie - that's a whole lot of tie. Explain the spring thing to me Mr Steve, please, if you don't mind?

[dhpainter]

....and, you know when you get a washing machine or something delivered - its usually got that plastic strapping around it holding everything in place - that would be good..... I think it's heat sealed though....dunno

[Elizabeth B]

This is a suggestion from the RSPB:

Fixing your nestbox with nails may damage the tree. It is better to attach it either with a nylon bolt or with wire around the trunk or branch. Use a piece of hose or section of car tyre around the wire to prevent damage to the tree. Remember that trees grow in girth as well as height, and check the fixing every two or three years.

The RSPB: Advice: Siting a nestbox

[Kayleigh]

Here is some more info.
its the 6th one down WAB didn't like the link.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how...ient=firefox-a

[PDF]
Tawny Owl Nestboxes
http://www.xexexexexexexexexexexexe....Nestboxes_27.p...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
position a Tawny Owl nesting box suitable for a tree. Background. The Tawny Owl is the most ... straps or polypropylene rope to fix the box to the tree ...
You visited this page on 18/08/2011.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Gripple make excellent tensioners, and can be released easily once you have the knack. Quite expensive though. Harder to get the metal versions if I recall.

As you have the 4mm wire, you need what your Aunty Deb has suggested, a couple of Gripples - that's all. pick them up from your nearest agricultural stores.

See here....

Gripple Plus

If you don't want these, come back to me and I'll tell you how I hang my boxes using recycled green banding.

[dhpainter]

Thank you everyone. I'm definitely gonna stick with the 4mm wire - because I already have shed loads of it, on my allotment (there's a pun in there somewhere), waste not want not and all that. I think it's all about the gripples. I shall still order a few of the rigging fitments from the marine supplies but the gripple looks to solve all of life's problems. Thanks again one and all, you have helped me enormously. Bye for now, Dawn.

[davecatt]

Have a look here Nest Box Accessories
Product code MP07
Contact them for advice,they are very helpful.

An important point to remember is that Tawny Owls need plenty of cover,the box should be placed so they can approach it by moving from branch to branch.

The box needs to be at least 15 feet above the ground and sheltered from the prevailing wind. There are different designs of nest boxes for Tawny Owls,the one I have the most doubts about is the "chimney" design,as it dose not have a roof.
Dave

[Brocakat]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

This is a suggestion from the RSPB:

Fixing your nestbox with nails may damage the tree. It is better to attach it either with a nylon bolt or with wire around the trunk or branch. Use a piece of hose or section of car tyre around the wire to prevent damage to the tree. Remember that trees grow in girth as well as height, and check the fixing every two or three years.

The RSPB: Advice: Siting a nestbox

I would prefer a nylon bolt to......Anything that goes right around the tree. Especially if one relocates or forgets to monitor/adjust ( which is not always possible ) the tension year-on-year.
I see numerous wires & rope cutting right-into the tree & " strangling " it:- this not only stops the tree fuctioning properly - but it could make it fail - and fall.