Things to think about first ???

Tawny Owl numbers have dropped dramatically over the last 80 or so years. We have lost more than 2000 in the last 15 years alone. With only 19,400 nesting pairs in the UK at present. If we do nothing, sadly one of the classic British Owls will disappear for good. 

As the Tawny Owl (like most birds of Prey) are very high up on the food chain,  any Human changes that destruct and fragment the habitats and environments of animals at the bottom, invariably affects things at the top.

Reasons for their decline

• Hedgerow destruction and replacement with maintenance free fencing.
  • Great for Modern Farming
  • Bad for Mice and Voles (Tawny Owl lunch !!)
• Increased Urbanisation.
  • Our towns get bigger
  • Tawny Owls towns get smaller
•  Increase in stocking density of Sheep and greater silage production.
• • Lots of food for Cows and Sheep
  • Grass to short for Tawny Owl food to run around in
• Removal of natural Nest sites like hollow old trees.
  • Back to the guys at the health & safety office again !!
  • OK, no one wants a Tree to fall on them (or anybody else) but come on guys, plant a new one at the same time ??

THE LIST GOES ON, TAWNY OWLS REALLY DO NEED OUR HELP !

Lets find out if you can help by building your own nest box ?

Do you have the right type of habitat and environment to encourage Tawny Owls to use your nest box ?

Tawny Owls prey primarily on Short Tail Voles, Field Mice and Shrews. They will hunt at day and at night but usually at first and last light. They will hunt in and arround wooded areas and in fields.

The Tawny Owl is an Owl the size of a large Pigeon. It has a rounded body and head, with a ring of dark feathers around its face surrounding the dark eyes. It is mainly reddish brown above and paler underneath. It is a widespread breeding species in England, Wales and Scotland but not found in Ireland. Birds are mainly residents with established pairs probably never leaving their territories. Young birds disperse from breeding grounds in autumn.

The tawny owl is nocturnal so it is often heard calling at night, but much less often seen. In the daytime, you may see one only if you disturb it inadvertently from its roost site in woodland up against a tree trunk or among Ivy. Look for pellets below roosting places. The Female Tawny Owl can often be heard calling to a mate with a 'hooting' call. She is responsible for the 'toowit' part of the classic Tawny Owl sound and the male will often answer with 'toowoo'.

The natural nesting site for a Tawny Owl is a deep and dark cavity in a tree, such as the hollow in a broken branch or tree trunk.

Like all Owls, Tawny Owls make no nest but lay their eggs directly on the flat surface they have available. Sometimes this is cushioned by discarded pellets (the regurgitated left overs of a recent meal). Eggs are usually laid in late April - early May. Incubation period is (like most birds) around 30 days (31 to be accurate) and hatch 1 - 3 day apart.

Nest Boxes not only provide suitable nesting sites but can also provide suitable shelter from harsh weather, this is very important if Tawny Owls are to be attracted to an area.

Don't worry if you have little or even none of the above ideal habitat or environment available on you doorstep. Tawny Owls have been known to travel long distances between hunting grounds and nest sites.

Droppings (long streaks of 'whitewash') and pellets (regurgitated leftovers) about the size of a small human Thumb are tell tale signs of a favorite roosting place.

OK, lets get started with your Box design and build.

There are two main types of Tawny Owl Box, upright mounted and 45 degree angle mounted. The Box construction is largely the same in dimensions, it's just the positioning that differs. Although we have never had any success mounting a Tawny Owl nest box inside, this does not mean that it will not work for you. We recommend that you choose a suitable Tree.

REMEMBER !! Interior Boxes need to have access all the time. An open fronted/sided Barn is ideal, but a window/aperture with come and go access is an absolute must.

Even if your Box does not appeal initially to a Tawny Owl looking to get on the property ladder, it may provide shelter for him or her in bad weather conditions !!

General construction tips !

Firstly don't get to hung up on the perfect box design and build of your Tawny Owl Box. Take a look at some of the designs below and you will see that they do vary, however they all follow the long and slim design that mimics the deep hollow of a tree branch or trunk. 

         With reasonable DIY skills and tools that you can find in the average home, you should be able to construct a usable Tawny Owl Box.

Before we give you the plans on building your Tawny Owl nest box, we would suggest the following :

1. Use PlyWood 9 - 12mm thickness is ideal.
2. Make sure not to have any sharp edges inside or out.
3. Don't line the inside with anything (Tawny Owls do not make soft bedding/nests).
4. Only use water based paint or stain. (Nothing Toxic, read the label) It's OK to paint/stain the inside if you wish.
5. Avoid using glues if you can. If you absolutely have to use solvent free glue and one that is waterproof.
6. Make a small door on the side/front of the box for access to clean. DO NOT use this door whilst nest box is in use !!!! Wait till young have all fledged each year.
7. When positioning the box, where possible face away from prevailing winds. Position box to face South for maximum sunlight.

If in any doubt please contact us so we can advise on your particular circumstances.

Consider how you are going to fix the box in position ? If you are fixing to a tree then a couple of steel screws/nails are fine (they wont damage the tree to much). But don't go mad. Or mount the box underneath a branch and cable tie/strap into position.

Whilst the majority of Tawny Owl boxes are fixed to trees, this does not mean that they cannot be fixed to the side of building. If you can only use a building side, go for it ! Let us know how you get on.

If you are mounting the box to the outside/inside of a wall, then we recommend that the box be mounted on a wall plate first, then mount the wall plate to the wall. Always uses suitable wall fixings. 

Don't forget that just because you have built a nest box for a Tawny Owl, it may be that other Owls may like it so much that they take up residence !!! This has been known.

The most important thing that you can do once your nest box is built and fixed in place is to let us know !! Send us some pictures of the box and let us know when Owls take up your offer of a new safe home to raise their young.

This is, in our opinion a great nest Box design for Tawny Owls. Decide if you are going to fix the box in the upright position or as the drawing below shows, in the angled position. If you use the angled position try to position under a branch to stop box filling up with rain water.

Upright fixed Tawny Owl Nest Box

Remember that this Tawny Owl nest box is over 1 metre in hight so make sure you have room to build it and fix it in position !!

45 degree angle fitted Tawny Owl nest box.

DONT FORGET THAT FOR EACH BOX THAT IS BUILT, MOM, DAD & MAYBE FIVE YOUNGSTERS WILL BE SAVED EACH YEAR.

IT REALLY IS WORTH IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS, IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Good luck and have fun !!

Disclaimer : The information contained on this website is intended for information only. Heart of England Raptors will not accept any liability for injury that results from individuals who construct and fix their own nest boxes