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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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