Nest Boxes for Barn Owls

googs

We have some resident barn owls around the area and also saw a long eared owl recently. I'm thinking of putting up a nest box to see if I can get any of their offspring nesting close by, any one out there try this and if so what are the pitfalls to avoid

boneless

I never tried it 'cause I never had the pleasure of living in an area where (to my knowledge!!) Barn Owls frequented.

Contact BIRDWATCH IRELAND; they were able to advise me on issues in the past.

I actually saw a Barn Owl on Thursday night at UCD!! It was silent and eerie and I really enjoyed the experience. I also rang the mentioned organisation about this sighting and they were very surprised. It's not a known area for the creatures.

jmkennedyie

Jeez. Lucky both of you. Barn Owl nest box? Birdwatch Ireland online shop have one for sale that is designed explicitly for them.

As for other pointers, the only things I can think of are to consider their food / water supply...the more 'wilderness' and 'un-improved' land around the more Pygmy Shrews, Mice etc. ...the better your chances. (Poisoning Land would be a big no-no of course).

Also, if no running water in the area, the owls might use the cattle/sheep water troughs out in the fields during very hot or very dry weather. As far as I remember it is common enough for owls to drown this way. I think the trick is to put a bit of timber floating in the water trough...that will act as a platform they can stand on. I guess a timber plank 'ramp' would work as well.

Best of Luck!

Mothman

BirdwatchIreland have recently launched a Barn Owl Conservation Project. Surprisingly, no details yet on the website, but contact Alex Copland who is in charge of the project. You can find contact for him near bottom of contacts page of Birdwatch Ireland site

He has already installed a Barn Owl box with me.