Tawny Owls like to live in and around woods.

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Tawny Owl Box Siting and Placement

Avoid:

• Avoid trees with ivy and climbers on and keep away from paths and other busy places.  
• Choose a tree that is away from any regular disturbance, especially near active gardens or footpaths
• Pick a tree without any ivy or creeping plants

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Pick and Create an area where:

• The boxes are best sited towards the edge of the wood, 3-5 metres above the ground affixed to the side of tree away from the prevailing wind.
• The chicks like some ground cover to protect them when they are ‘branching’ or climbing around before they fledge.
• A few inches of clean soil or potting compost make a good substrate in the boxes and this should be cleaned out in the autumn.
• In brief- if you have Tawny Owls regularly visiting an area that’s a great start to siting a box
• Make sure there is somewhere nearby for the young owls to ‘branch’ into
• You need a nice smooth face on the trunk that is preferably wider than the box to offer good support

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Box Placement

• Face the box entrance away from any prevailing wind and rain
• Place the box no less than 12 ft above the ground but aim for 15ft or more
• Fix the attachment plate first with the help of someone
• Lift the box into place either yourself or with a rope over a higher limb/branch
• Fix the box to the attachment plate on the tree with help
• Remember to place a substrate in the base of the box for the owls to lay their eggs on