Extra protection is provided by the offset access, specifically designed to deter jackdaws and other potential threats. For ease of monitoring and maintenance, the Barn Owl Box Duplex features a rear-hinged door that allows direct access to the nesting chamber. This enables low-contact access when absolutely necessary.
Hanging Instructions:
Detailed instructions will come with your box.
Screw the mounting plate in the appropriate position (look at the plate and follow the arrow). This will be a horizontal orientation. Mount at least 2cm below the top of where the box will be. Use screws suitable for the material of the wall.
You can then hook the box onto the mounting plate.
When the box is ‘hung’ on the mounting plate, look in the interior of the box.
Screw the box to the mounting plate with the screws provided. The box should now be secure.
Placement Advice:
Barn Owls prefer sites that overlook hunting grounds, on the edge of woodland. Ideally they should overlook grassland or scrub land that will have a good population of voles and mice. Prior to mounting your Barn Owl box, line the bottom with owl pellets, dried leaves or dry garden mulch.
Boxes should be sited 3-5 metres high, fixed to the side of a tree or sitting in the junction of a branch.
There should be no artificial light casting on the box.
The wind direction is not important as the box contains an internal baffle which will deflect any wind.
Barn owls like an open approach to their boxes, coming in low and preferring to be able to see the box from a distance.
Care & Maintenance:
There is no need to treat or paint the boxes prior to putting them up. If you want to paint the box, we suggest using a water-based, non-toxic paint. Please do not paint over the dark circles on swift boxes - these are visual clues to swifts that there is a nesting cavity.
We suggest inspecting the box once a year when you are very confident there are no nesting birds using it.
To clean the box, only if needed:
Sweep out any leaf litter or pellets from the base of the box.
Using a weak solution of dish soap and warm water, wipe the whole box down, making sure to clean in the corners.
Make sure the box is dry before replacing any substrate on the box floor.
This is done to ensure any pests or diseases carried by nesting birds are eliminated.
To maintain the box:
While your box is down for a clean, inspect all sides and joints for any damage.
If, in the unlikely event of any cracks, fill with wood filler and make sure this dries fully.
Inspect the mounting plate and fixings before remounting the box.
