Owl House

Last year I put up an owl house in our back yard [Screech Owl] and within a month or so we had a resident. Well, with the cold weather rolling in he has found his way back! Last year he didn't have a mate or fledglings but hopefully this year he will fair better. Really fun having him in the backyard nonetheless- like a little old man other than the fact that he stays up all night.

Here are a couple of pics from this morning:

What are the dimensions of this owl house? I want to build one. Thanks, Kevin.

Hi primotenore, it is an extra cedar fence picket as you may be able to tell. 24" in the back and net [including opening] 27" in the front with the "roof" sloping back. Several 1/4"drain holes drilled in the bottom.

Some I have seen bore a hole for entry but I just separated the wood for fledglings to perch if and hopefully when we have them.

Also, you may mount on any side of the tree except north due to weather. Ours is on the east side, facing the house. Should be around 10-12' off the ground with a clear flight path in/out [I trimmed back/off several limbs].

Good luck!

Hi primotenore, it is an extra cedar fence picket as you may be able to tell. 24" in the back and net [including opening] 27" in the front with the "roof" sloping back. Several 1/4"drain holes drilled in the bottom.

Some I have seen bore a hole for entry but I just separated the wood for fledglings to perch if and hopefully when we have them.

Also, you may mount on any side of the tree except north due to weather. Ours is on the east side, facing the house. Should be around 10-12' off the ground with a clear flight path in/out [I trimmed back/off several limbs].

Good luck!

Thanks!! (Weekend project)

Hi primotenore, it is an extra cedar fence picket as you may be able to tell. 24" in the back and net [including opening] 27" in the front with the "roof" sloping back. Several 1/4"drain holes drilled in the bottom.

Some I have seen bore a hole for entry but I just separated the wood for fledglings to perch if and hopefully when we have them.

Also, you may mount on any side of the tree except north due to weather. Ours is on the east side, facing the house. Should be around 10-12' off the ground with a clear flight path in/out [I trimmed back/off several limbs].

Good luck!

Thanks!! (Weekend project)

Great and can't wait to see- depending where you live, now that things are cooling off is a great time to put one up. During warmer weather they roost on limbs but cooler they look for hidey holes.

This is just lovely! I've always had a fascination with owls, and love seeing them occasionally. We know there are some pairs around where we live - I've personally seen a great grey owl - but we don't see them that often.

The Great Grey is huge!! Startled me the first time he/she glided over.

Yeah, the big owls are a little unnerving but still very cool.
Mark

This is just lovely! I've always had a fascination with owls, and love seeing them occasionally. We know there are some pairs around where we live - I've personally seen a great grey owl - but we don't see them that often.

The Great Grey is huge!! Startled me the first time he/she glided over.

So when will you be building an owl house, Yohann, and taking some of your amazing photographs of the tenant who moves in?

Yeah, the big owls are a little unnerving but still very cool.
Mark

This is just lovely! I've always had a fascination with owls, and love seeing them occasionally. We know there are some pairs around where we live - I've personally seen a great grey owl - but we don't see them that often.

The Great Grey is huge!! Startled me the first time he/she glided over.

So when will you be building an owl house, Yohann, and taking some of your amazing photographs of the tenant who moves in?

Agreed!

yohannrjm, they are beautiful creatures and I love just observing. Not much to see during the daylight hours but still very interesting. I very much hope that he finds a mate this season as that would be even more remarkable.

I very much hope that he finds a mate this season as that would be even more remarkable.

Then you will have a pair of hooters.

LOL!

Too cool Kevin! I never thought to put up an owl nest box, but with fowl running around and with past problems with hawks I don't think I will. I sure would like to though.

LOL!

Too cool Kevin! I never thought to put up an owl nest box, but with fowl running around and with past problems with hawks I don't think I will. I sure would like to though.

Hey Bryan ShadowsDad It is pretty cool, we almost view him as a pet of sorts [my wife has named him Kyle].

I bet you have all manner of really cool wildlife in your area- I was just talking with my wife about visiting Maine as she has never been. I still consider it one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

We haven't had much problem with other raptors but we also have 4 squirrel nests (they built, not I) in our yard. We started with 5 babies active this year and are down to 3 with the occasional red tail hawk and horned owl passing through but none nesting for any length of time.

Also have a rat snake that has taken residence in the yard that is mature and around 6' long. Good for rodents, not for my wife as she is terrified of snakes.