Barn Owl Nest
Barn Owl and Kestrel
Nest Box
BARN OWL and KESTREL NEST BOXES
During early 2006 and 2007 twelve individual dual type nest boxes were put up on various landholdings where both species would be sustainable in being able to breed and find food within that habitat.
A contractor form the Midlands, who is experienced in this work, was appointed to come to Barnsley on two separate occasions to bring and fit these boxes. Boxes were fitted onto old telegraph poles and a hired boring machine dug the hole for the poles to slot in. On the finished job, each box was around 5 metres high and enough to make it difficult for people to climb to. Both Barn Owl and Kestrel do not build a nest so for early success it was important to provide nest material for inside the boxes in the form of chip bark and sawdust.
2007 Results
During the early part of the year it was evident that at least half of the boxes had been used by wintering Barn Owl which was encouraging.
During the breeding season 4 boxes were occupied by Barn Owl and 4 boxes by Kestrel
with surprisingly both Barn Owl and Kestrel in the same box of one of them. The Barn
Owl was in the main, lower part and the Kestrel in the apex-
2008 Results
Again, during the early part of the year around half of the boxes were being used by wintering Barn Owl.
The breeding season 3 boxes were occupied by Barn Owl and 6 boxes by Kestrel and 1 box by Little Owl. From these there were two boxes which were shared by both Barn Owl and Kestrel. A forth pair of Barn Owl were lost early in the breeding season when one of the pair was found dead as an unfortunate road casualty.
This success is encouraging and proves that both Barn Owl and Kestrel are in need of breeding sites as many original sites have now been lost. Buildings have been improved and in some cases converted to dwellings and old, hedgerow trees with holes are few and far between.
The new Barnsley Biodiversity Action Plan has incorporated an action to continue to provide nest boxes for both Barn Owl and Kestrel.
Geoff Carr
Barn Owl/Kestrel Nest Box
Barn Owl Nest
Images by Geoff Carr