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Barred Owls Nesting Again!

16 years ago

I had originally posted this to the Birding Forum in error. I'll do updates during the 2010 nesting at this thread.

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I've had Barred Owls nesting in an old Beech tree in my backyard every year since 2003 and I'm thrilled to see that they are back again this year! Here is a picture of Mama Owl sitting in the nest.

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Comments (4)

bandjzmom
16 years ago
Wow! This is a cool picture! Is the hole in that as large as it looks? I never imagined them nesting in such an open spot. Lucky you!
judyg53
Original Author
16 years ago
I don't know how deep the nest actually is because I can't get up into that tree. From what I've been able to see, however, it appears that they are really exposed to the weather more than I ever expected them to like for nesting.

There was once a very large limb that broke from this tree and eventually it developed into this large cavity. You can still see some of the limb at the top of the nest site. That area of the tree has really deteriorated over the last few years and I worry that it will soon be too open for the owls to continue to nest there. The tree is slowly dying and is losing limbs every year. Many sections of the tree have holes in it made by Pileated Woodpeckers. Squirrels and birds fly into one hole and out another hole in another section of the tree. Definitely hollow spaces in there.

I've been contemplating making a nest box and mounting up that tree in that nest area for next year. I'm just not sure what to do. I've watched them nest there every year since 2003 and I would truly miss them. I want to offer a nest box but at the same time I don't want to spook them away from the site they have used for so long.

Here is an image from 2003 when the young were leaving the nest and the tree is full of foliage.
Related Discussions
Does anybody have experience with owl nesting boxes?
Q
Comments (2)
I got one built by a good friend of mine after hearing an owl hoot in Fall a few years ago. We downloaded the plans from the web and used cedar to build the box. He mounted it ~20ft up on a PVC pipe and tethered the pole between a pine and a mulberry. Except that the owl never showed up-actually I haven't heard it again. But in the meantime, gray squirrels enlarged the hole and moved in. They have been living there ever since. I figured it is giving shelter to some creature especially in brutal winters such as this one and let it be. Squirrels are quite smart and will take advantage of any structures given half a chance. Mounting your box away from trees and securing it to a wooden pole covered by a smooth PVC pipe/sleeve might do the trick.
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Barred Owls Nesting Again!
Q
Comments (17)
Since barred owls use nest boxes, I imagine one could be put up on your tree with proper reinforcement to keep it in place, after nesting season. I know the boxes are larger than the E. Screech Owl box we put up in our tree and I agree if that nest is up high it's best to use a skilled tree person. Not far from me, there was a barred owl nesting in a snag and weather deteriorated it to the point the owls found another tree nearby. The original nest was along a walkway in a park. I haven't found the new nest, but I have seen the owls at dusk and hear them.
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Thinking about putting up a nest box again
Q
Comments (4)
Chickadees are easy to attract to a box paul. Buy a box that is specifically for them. Those can easily be found online. The entrance hole will be really small. They will nest in a box that is hung from/mounted on a tree, mounted on your porch post, or mounted on a post in your yard. They aren't choosy. I tend to try to face my boxes to the east, but not always. Have to keep a close watch upon any nest box that you offer to be sure that the House Sparrows don't claim it. Robins and Mourning Doves may use a Neating Platform. Can find those online too.~~Angie
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Nesting again??
Q
Comments (9)
If there are nestlings in the box, and you do not know their age, DO NOT open the nestbox! At 13 days of age, they cannot fly yet, but they are quite active and often jumpy. If they are frightened out of the box, they will not likely survive. Remember unlucky 13, and keep notes on a calendar for hatch dates, etc. If bluebirds normally remain in your area throughout the winter, they will likely defend the nestbox and territory year-round, occasionally going in and out, and perching on or nearby the nestbox. Sometimes they might use the nestbox for roosting at night or during bad weather. Bluebirds in southern states such as Texas and Florida sometimes raise 4 broods in one season. BlueBars
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bandjzmom
16 years ago
Oh gosh, that sure made me smile to see that picture. They look so tentative. Hmmmm..I see what your dilemma is. Is that hole pretty high up? I wonder if there would be anything that could be done about somehow rigging up some sort of canopy which would offer more cover. I think that it would have to be made of natural materials. I can see why you would have concerns about spooking them if their cavity seemed different. There must be an owl expert somewhere who would know what could be done. I'm gonna search around on-line a bit.
judyg53
Original Author
16 years ago
I've got two threads on this because I wasn't sure where to post. I've been asked to keep it at the general Bird Watching Forum because the others who are interested don't come to this Raptor Forum.

See ya over there! :)

THIS THREAD IS CLOSING

Here is a link that might be useful: Barred Owl Thread on Bird Watching Forum

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