Ever Considered An Owl ?

My dear friends,

the typically early mornings of horse-owners,- boarders and other crazy equestrians do have its advantages. One of which I came to realize this morning is the time I get to spend alone before everyone else is around. It gives me the opportunity to read through papers, check out the news and other interesting "stuff".
Something I only am able to do during those "40 lonely minutes".
This morning I came across an article about owls.
Owls ? Why is she talking about owls , now ?

No, don´t worry ! Iam not crazy, but rather excited. As I was going through the article I remembered the post from Kathy about "Green Thinking" when it comes to our stables. And I also was struck by the fact, that all over the world the common Barn Owl is listed as an endangered species.

So guess what, we can change that and do something to protect our feed and acreages at the same time ! Our environment will profit from the drastic reduction of pestizides, too !

WOW !!

Here are the facts:

These are among the most beneficial birds a farmer can attract. A family of barn owls is very tolerant of humans, yet during a single nesting season will consume as many as three thousand rodents! Multiple nesting boxes around your equestrian / agricultural operation will not only reduce your rodent population, but your pesticide expense as well.

Using barn owls to fight rodent populations is an old idea that is getting a second look by many sectors of the agriculture industry. This is, in part, due to pressure from environmental and consumer groups to reduce chemical use in the field. But credit must also be given to the notion that nature can often be a farmer's ally in his battle against pests. Recognizing the barn owl's value as expert rodent hunters, farmers can easily encourage their presence by providing nesting sites as the birds are attracted to almost any snug, dark cavity.
As well, the birds will tolerate a fair amount of noise and commotion around their nest as long as they are not directly threatened. While the food supply remains dependable, the owls will return season after season.

Barn owls are now considered rare in many states, (Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Minnesota) and are listed as endangered in others (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin). While much of this decline in their population can be attributed to predation by Great Horned Owls, another major factor is the loss of adequate nesting sites due to urbanization and the development of American agriculture.

Barn owls belong to a group of birds known as cavity dwellers, and when it comes to choosing nesting sites, these owls are not picky. In a natural setting, they will inhabit tree cavities, crevices between the fronds of palm trees or small caves in cliffs or banks. As well, they readily accept artificial cavities and have been found to nest in any snug, quiet enclosure, ten feet or more off the ground. These might include rafters, spaces between bales of hay, attics and unoccupied rooms in upper stories of buildings. Other acceptable nesting sites may be barrels, steel drums, cat litter boxes, or specially designed boxes for owls.

While most of their hunting takes place during flight, barn owls may hunt also from a perched position. This is useful information, since a farmer can affect the level of rodent control in a specific area by installing several 10 to 15 foot high perches along with nesting boxes. Rodents are their preferred food, but small birds roosting in trees or bushes frequently become victims of the barn owl. Cats are not threatened, and ground squirrels, not being nocturnal, are unfortunately not controlled.

During employing a population of barn owls for the purpose of rodent control, you must never forget that you are dealing with wild animals. Just as with any other wild beast, there are health issues to be addressed, and legal points that must also be covered.

Hantavirus

When cleaning out nest boxes at least once a year maintains the box and helps to control wasps and disease that may affect the young, this act can expose a person to hantavirus. Certainly, the benefits of having a clean nest box are hardly worth the risks of exposure to this deadly disease. However, if a nest box is to be cleaned, the person must use rubber gloves and a dust mask. Every effort should be made to stay out of the dust.
Legal Issues

Barn owls, as are all other owls, hawks and eagles, are a protected species. Only licensed individuals may handle them or keep them. For more information, contact the US Department of Fish and Wildlife.

So, are you considering an Owl, now ?

If you do, here are some helpfull tips for building "Owlboxes":

Barn owls are not terribly picky when it comes to where they build their nests. Nest box designs range from elaborate, spacious multi-roomed arrangements, complete with perches and insullation, down to very simple one room constructions.
The truth is that any snug, elevated cavity in a quiet area will do, and as far as the owl is concerned, a man can make them as well as nature. Basic requirements for a man-made nest box include the following:

Basics:
1. Minimum dimensions are 12 by 12 inches for the floor and a cavity depth of 16 inches.
2. The entrance should be no more than six inches in diameter to keep out great horned owls.
In fact, some people insists that a hole diameter greater than three and three-fourths inches
puts the owls in danger! The entrance should be located fairly near the floor of the box to
provide access for the young, unless you provide a means of enabling the young to scramble
up to it, such as cleats or a perch inside the box.
3. Air circulation should be insured by making vent holes are allowing an air space near the
roof.
4. Water drainage must be provided for by making holes in the floor, usually near the corners.
5. A means of clean-out and inspection must also be worked into the design.
6. If space allows, partitions separating the entrance from the nesting area protect the eggs and
young from predators.
Optional items include:
1. Insulating panels on the sides exposed to the sun.
2. A roosting room for the parents to perch in during the day while the young occupy the nesting
area. This room usually has the same size opening as the main cavity, and is crossed with
perches with 14 inches or so of head space. No floor is recommended for this room so as to
permit castings and fecal material to fall to the ground.
3. Extra space in the nesting area. The boxes I make to sell commercially have a floor that is
almost 16 by 24 inches, and a cavity depth of almost 24 inches. The idea behind more room is
that it encourages the hen to lay more eggs. More eggs, more rodents eaten. In my opinion,
bigger is better.
4. Perches for landing outside and roosting inside. These also enable the young to stretch their
wings and exercise before their first flight. I recommend perches, especially if the box is not
going to be placed in or very close to a tree.

Oh my, what one can learn in "40 lonely minutes" :-)

I will definitely get down to the ground of this subject and contact my local fish and wildlife dpt. in order to find out what can be done to encourage BarnOwls to choose my barn as their favorite "hang out" !
For some usefull information you might also want to visit http://www.owlpages.com/index.php