Barn Owl Forum
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Topic: Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes
Posted by: Nick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
Date/Time: 3/28/2002 6:53:33 AM
 
Message:
As a trial in late 2000 we constructed several Barn Owl nestboxes from 200 litre plastic drums. These were erected (long axis - horizontal)in trees within suitable habitat in two study areas designated 'A' and 'B'.

We were unable to monitor the drums during the breeding season in 2001 due to the FMD outbreak. However in late 2001 we found that two drums in study area 'A' and one in study area 'B' showed signs of Barn Owl breeding activity. The amount of trampled pellet debris within these drums convinced us breeding had taken place. However the evidence remains circumstantial.

Last week on 23rd March we visited study area 'A' to inspect the ground under the plastic drums for evidence of occupation. (The Barn Owls did not over-winter). We found numerous fresh Barn Owl pellets under one drum. When inpecting the area around the other drum (around 1/2 mile away from the first) a female(?) Barn Owl emerged from it - despite our best efforts to make as little noise as possible.

It's early days yet but it looks promising. Hopefully breeding will occur at these two sites this year. Our next visit - to monitor the number of eggs laid (if any) - is planned for around mid to late May.

Is anyone else trialing plastic drums as Barn Owl nestboxes ? What are your experiences/observations/reservations etc. ? We'd like to hear from you.

We'd be interested to hear of any other alternatives to wooden nestboxes being trialed.

 
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TopicPostedBy
Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes3/28/2002 6:53:33 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
     Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes4/3/2002 3:31:17 AMPeter Beaven
          Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes4/3/2002 6:28:59 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
          Re:Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes2/20/2005 10:58:05 AMjack hutchings
          Re:Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes2/20/2005 11:03:46 AMjack hutchings
               Re:Re:Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes2/21/2005 8:22:49 AMNick Atlinson & Alan Levitt
     Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes4/15/2002 3:36:05 PMvince cartwright
          Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes4/16/2002 10:09:38 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
               Re:Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes3/7/2004 2:08:08 AMJudith Smith (Mosslands Barn Owl Cons. Group, Gtr Manchester)
     Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes5/13/2002 3:19:34 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
     Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes5/20/2002 3:17:15 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
          Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes6/4/2002 5:46:11 PMDavid Ramsden
               Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes6/6/2002 2:04:27 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                    Re:Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes6/14/2002 2:16:48 PMvince cartwright
                         Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes6/18/2002 2:04:24 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                              Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes7/29/2002 1:55:12 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
                                   Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes9/16/2002 2:00:14 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
     Re:Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes9/20/2003 5:27:09 AMvince cartwright
     wondering9/29/2003 10:24:32 AMalan levitt
     Plastic Drums as Barn Owl nestboxes3/11/2004 6:22:25 AMJudith Smith (Mosslands Barn Owl Cons. Group, Gtr Manchester)
          Plastic Drums for Barn Owl nestboxes2/21/2005 2:52:44 AMBOCN HQ
               Re:Plastic Drums for Barn Owl nestboxes8/7/2005 9:30:27 AMebkcontainers
               Re:Plastic Drums for Barn Owl nestboxes11/15/2008 3:14:08 AMRasmus Offersen
                    Re:Re:Plastic Drums for Barn Owl nestboxes11/18/2008 3:09:02 AMNick Atkinson & Alan Levitt
               Re:Plastic Drums for Barn Owl nestboxes12/28/2009 1:09:48 PMRachel Candy