Barn Owls

[765489]

Have you any in your area or got a glimpse of any recently?

I was down my neighbour's yard today and spotted two. I think they are eyeing up my neighbour's hayshed. Lovely to see them in day light. There was one of them sitting on a post about 30 feet away and didn't spot it until it flew away

Good info on anyone interested in making nest boxes etc.

https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-ow ... nestboxes/

I'll be speaking with him tomorrow re nest box in shed

[Scotty]

Not heard them now in a couple of years (South Louth, East Meath) though I do catch a glimpse of owls at night often enough, I just can't tell which they are.

I think I read a while ago that they were making a good comeback in parts of Cork.

[765489]

Not heard them now in a couple of years (South Louth, East Meath) though I do catch a glimpse of owls at night often enough, I just can't tell which they are.

I think I read a while ago that they were making a good comeback in parts of Cork.

There's an invasive rodent I think called a white toothed shrew that's spreading about in Cork. According to Bird Watch Ireland, one of the positive effects of this shrew is an increase in the local Barn Owl population as they manage to successfully rear all the chick's in the brood.

The ironic thing about my sightings yesterday is that earlier in the day my neighbour was down in my yard and he couldn't get over that I don't use poison baits to control rats or mice. So they are already at risk from rodenticide poisoning. Will have to try and convince him to lesson down on it He's got two prolific rat catchers if they are given a chance.

[765489]

Nestbox materials ordered, neighbouring farmer is shite at all things DIY so I've agreed to make the box for him. Watch this space

[765489]

Nestbox made. Not up to the woodworking forum's standard but I'm happy it resembles the instructions on the website.

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[490808]

Looks great, I don't think Barn Owls are big on woodworking criticism.

No Owls as far as I know by the name of Thomas Chippendale.

[765489]

Looks great, I don't think Barn Owls are big on woodworking criticism.

No Owls as far as I know by the name of Thomas Chippendale.

Will be having a look at the shed over the Christmas. Problem I have is that I don't think I'll have a ladder long enough to get it up 5 metres. I'll have to borrow one off someone.

[Scotty]

Winterwatch (BBC2 8PM tonight) will feature a slot on Barn Owls in Northern Ireland.

Louth Barn Owl Project seems to be quite active at the moment too...
https://louthbarnowls.wixsite.com/website
https://www.facebook.com/louthbarnowls/

[765489]

Which reminds me I finally have all the materials required to clamp the nest box I done onto an rsj in my neighbour's shed. Will try and go at it the weekend and post a photo on it up.

[Scotty]

Possibly as few as 15 breeding pairs in the whole of NI apparently. Terrible. Hopefully the huge amount of nest boxes being erected this year nationwide will make a difference.

[765489]

Put up the nest box today. It's up about 18 foot.

Used two RSJ gate hangers and two threaded bars. Hopefully something will nest in it now.

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[490808]

I honestly think with a couple of decent screws in the back you could have hung it on those diagonal braces then screwed a couple of battens on from behind the diagonals to firm it up a bit.

[765489]

I honestly think with a couple of decent screws in the back you could have hung it on those diagonal braces then screwed a couple of battens on from behind the diagonals to firm it up a bit.

I couldn't get a ladder either side of the RSJ, bales one side, old stable full of junk the other. The battens were easier and safer as I had to stand on a cavity block wall. I would not have been able to get my arms down inside the box Co.

[490808]

I did wonder if access was the issue. Would be in our barn.

[765489]

I did wonder if access was the issue. Would be in our barn.

I might try my hand at an outdoor one next for the craic. My carpentry skills aren't great though.

[765489]

Spent nearly an hour this evening watching the nest box for activity from a field next door to the shed. There's a couple of sheets of galvanise off the other side of the shed so I can see the nest box and anything either going in or coming out. ( small window in the dark photo below ). Anyway nothing as of yet. Nice moon out earlier all not lost.

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[765489]

A Barnowl was spotted there by my neighbour perched on a fence post not far away from the shed I have the nest box in yesterday morning around 5am. I might try and head up one of these mornings to see if there is any activity at the nestbox site.