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Re: Barred Owl Basics



While they're not likely to do anything about the squirrels in your 
neighborhood (adult squirrels are a bit large and more diurnal than 
your friendly Barred Owls), they nest merrily in the midst of 
suburbia, as long as there are lots of trees. Our shortest 
nest-to-house distance here in Charlotte is probably about 10-15ft.

Boxes are commercially available, or you can use the plans on the 
Carolina Raptor Center webpage (www.birdsofprey.org). You could 
shrink the floor space of our plan to 20" x 20" or even a bit less 
and still keep your owls happy. We've found them nesting in some 
pretty tight cavities, but if you have the option, always better to 
give them more room than less. We've had them use our Barn-owl-sized 
boxes which have 3' x 2' floor space. And they don't have to be very 
high up. The aforementioned big box is only 12' or so above the 
ground.

Good luck.

Rob Bierregaard
Charlotte, NC

>The past few nights (as in between midnight and sunrise) I have heard at
>least one barred owl calling in my neighborhood.  Wanting to be helpful to
>any bird that might help keep the squirrels in line, my thoughts went
>immediately to putting a nest box in the area.
>
>Is there anyone out there who would care to me guidance about such things as
>my timing, will the birds nest in site of houses, if I am hearing the
>bird(s) are they likely already to be resident in the area, and should I get
>involved with the owls or leave them alone?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Mel Hochhalter
>MelH@nc.rr.com
>Chapel Hill, NC
>near CHHS

-- 

Rob Bierregaard

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