This
post is part of a continuing series of posts about Eastern Screech Owls
-- and attracting one to your back yard.
Other owlers may suggest different advice. Theirs may be just as
useful. One thing I have learned: No two screech owls are alike.
Here are Rules 2, 3 and 4 of my Top 10 Rules for attracting Screech Owls -- with big-time advice from David Johnson of the Global Owl Project. (Thanks, David!)
Click "Continue reading..." for the rules.
Rule Two: The roof must not leak. If you have an owl box with a gable roof, make sure the joint is watertight, When in doubt, add flashing across the top of the roof line. I learned this the hard way. This earlier post has photos of my old gable-roofed nesting box.
Rule Three:
Once you have the box, put an inch or two of wood shavings on the
floor. I have used chips from a wood-chipper, and I did not get an owl
until I switched to the wood shavings that you can buy in a pet shop.
Maybe it w
as a coincidence, but I had a male Screech Owl back in the box in days
last winter after I switched.
Owls
normally nest in tree cavities, and the cavities normally just have
bark debris and fine wood chips – the intent is to mimic this in your
nest box.
Rule Three A: If
you plan to install a mini-videocam and microphone in your box, do it
before you put the box up! You do not want to try to install a camera
-- let alone try to focus it -- once the box is mounted up a tree.
Rule Four:
The box should be placed on a tree or pole at least 10 feet off the
ground. This makes it harder for predators and curious humans to get to
it.
Use a ladder to reach the nest box for checking and maintenance.
