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Hi
I live on the edge of a village, looking out over a100-acre crop-field (crop is usually rape or wheat). There are oak trees in my garden, various other trees in neighbouring gardens, and a small copse of oaks a short distance away in the middle of the field.
Several years ago we placed an owl box on one of the oak trees in the garden. It has been regularly used to raise families of grey squirrels, and currently has a pigeon nesting in it!
I would be grateful for any advice as to how to protect it from squirrels, and to encourage an actual owl to use it.
I look forward to your thoughts. Many Thanks
Leigh
Hi Leigh
You could protect it from squirrels by using wire mesh but then owls wouldn't be able to use it either. If it has been there several years and hasn't been used by an owl, then it might be worth moving it to see if you can find a better spot. In order for owls to use it they would need a place where there is prey for them to catch. It sounds like you are in the right place for this, so it's worth trying to relocate it.
Best wishes Chris
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As Chris has said, it might be worth relocating the box to see if the location is the issue and adding a layer of woodchip at the bottom, but in the end there is no real way of encouraging birds to do anything. It could be a case that there are better sites in the territory such as natural nesting holes in the copse that they prefer to use. Birds can be very chosy about where to nest and will opt for the best sites.
The RSPB has advice on siting Tawny Owl nest boxes here - www.rspb.org.uk/.../index.aspx
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Thanks for your replies. I will take it down, give it a clean, put some woodchip in and put it up in a new spot. I've read that boxes should be a certain orientation, should be out of the prevaling wind, should be visible by passing owls, and should be in line of site of prey hunting ground. I'll check the siting advice material and get my compass out! I'll post an update if I get any takers :o)