WHEN TO INSTALL
In Northern and Central California, Barn Owls will look for a safe location to devour their prey. They look for a dark hole and climb in. This will happen year round. If a home - or nesting site - has not been established by November-December timeframe, the Barn Owl traditionally begins selecting a site in time for the January to May nesting season. Occasionally new nests for the season may be started as late as March but that’s getting late as peak hatches are in April. By July, most nest boxes have been vacated by the young who have flown to nearby trees or buildings for the final stages of their development. Note though that a number of authorities report that nesting will occur repeatedly throughout the year if the home and local food supply are present.
To encourage nesting in any given year, it is probably best to install the new Barn Owl Box before December for the winter nesting season, February at the latest.
Filler
There is no need to put any nest material inside the box. The owls will regurgitate pellets, consisting of undigested bones and fur into the box and the female will create a soft nest for the young by carefully breaking the pellets apart.. However, early on, because Owls bring in no nest material, you might add a ¾” layer of wood chips or wood mulch to prevent the eggs from rolling around.
They should face into an open area away from prevailing winds.
Maintenance
A barn owl family will create three inches or more of debris in the box in one season. The box should be cleaned out using a trowel or other cleaning tool once a year during August or September.
NOTE: Cleaning the box can cause exposure to Hantavirus (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome). For protection, rubber gloves and a good dust mask should be used during the process, and every effort should be made avoid exposure to the dust.
During the cleaning, the box should be inspected for damage, and appropriate repairs done. A few drops of oil applied to the hinges will prolong their serviceable life. After cleaning, add a layer of fresh wood chips about ¾“ deep to the box.
Signs of Occupation
If a box is occupied a white ring will often appear around the entry hole and scratch marks from the owls exiting and re-entering the box may be visible. Other possible signs of use are pellet debris hanging from the drainage holes and whitewash on and around the box. The sound of hissing is an indication that young owls are in the box—they will vocalize in this manner if they are disturbed. The presence of adult owls in the area around the box may also indicate that the box is inhabited. The adult owls can be heard shrieking over the fields after the sun has gone down and metallic clicking sounds can occasionally be heard when they fly in the vicinity of their nest. Occasionally there will be no signs of occupancy, but the box will indeed be in use.
If an owl is in the box when it is opened, close the box, and try another day
To encourage nesting in any given year, it is probably best to install the new Barn Owl Box before December for the winter nesting season, February at the latest.
Filler
There is no need to put any nest material inside the box. The owls will regurgitate pellets, consisting of undigested bones and fur into the box and the female will create a soft nest for the young by carefully breaking the pellets apart.. However, early on, because Owls bring in no nest material, you might add a ¾” layer of wood chips or wood mulch to prevent the eggs from rolling around.
They should face into an open area away from prevailing winds.
Maintenance
A barn owl family will create three inches or more of debris in the box in one season. The box should be cleaned out using a trowel or other cleaning tool once a year during August or September.
NOTE: Cleaning the box can cause exposure to Hantavirus (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome). For protection, rubber gloves and a good dust mask should be used during the process, and every effort should be made avoid exposure to the dust.
During the cleaning, the box should be inspected for damage, and appropriate repairs done. A few drops of oil applied to the hinges will prolong their serviceable life. After cleaning, add a layer of fresh wood chips about ¾“ deep to the box.
Signs of Occupation
If a box is occupied a white ring will often appear around the entry hole and scratch marks from the owls exiting and re-entering the box may be visible. Other possible signs of use are pellet debris hanging from the drainage holes and whitewash on and around the box. The sound of hissing is an indication that young owls are in the box—they will vocalize in this manner if they are disturbed. The presence of adult owls in the area around the box may also indicate that the box is inhabited. The adult owls can be heard shrieking over the fields after the sun has gone down and metallic clicking sounds can occasionally be heard when they fly in the vicinity of their nest. Occasionally there will be no signs of occupancy, but the box will indeed be in use.
If an owl is in the box when it is opened, close the box, and try another day