Hi all.
I hope this is the right place for this query. If not, could someone help me move this into the right area?
I am looking to either purchase or build a nesting box for an owl.
I seem to have an owl visiting my home at night (at least I think it's an owl because it arrives just as the sun is doing down and leaves at dawn). I am hoping to provide it with a home.
I have a few queries, namely, would the owl would take to living in the box when I actually don't know if it already has another day time nest?
Where can I situate it as there are no big trees near my home? I live in a new estate in the western suburbs of Melbourne - the nature strip tree is still fairly young and the eucalyptus trunk looks pretty thin ...
If a nesting box is an ok idea, can I put it against my external wall? Does the box need to be near where it perches at night or can it be situated on another wall? The reason I ask this is because it perches at the southern section of the home, but I read that putting boxes there would expose it to the colder winds.
Many many thanks in advance for any help on this!!!
You can buy owl boxes here. They also sell them unassembled to save money.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/wildlife/nursery/nestboxes/bird-nesting-boxes
Depending on the species of owl it may only use a hollow for nesting and not roosting.
Not sure on the best place to put a box up. I'd imagine in a tree would be preferable and in the quietest part your yard.
Hi IG38. If you go to the Creating Places tab > Nest Boxes you'll find information about making nest boxes for a range of bird species, including owls.
It would be interesting to know what attracts the bird to your home. Are you certain it is an owl? The Tawny Frogmouth is often mistaken for an owl but it doesn't use nest hollows. You could put up a nest box anyway because it could be used by a variety of bird species. I imagine the best location would be one facing away from the prevailing winds, southwest in your case.
Beware of feral birds using your nest box. The Common Mynah, House Sparrow & Starling are likely to be lining up to move in to any nest box you put up. Remove their nesting material or eggs whenever they try to nest. And avoid leaving rubbish around which Common Mynahs can use to make their nests. Encourage your neighbours to do the same.
If your new housing estate is anything like the new housing estates in South Australia then it's original native vegetation has been destroyed. You could do a variety of native bird species, including your owl & its progeny, a big favour by planting species which originally existed where you live & encouraging your neighbours & local council to go forth & do likewise. Placing well maintained, feral free nest boxes among the vegetation as it matures will provide additional habitat for those birds.
Good luck to you & your owl.