© 2011 Wild Owl                     Web site design & photography © Ian McGuire

The Web Site of Freelance Speaker and
Owl Conservationist Ian McGuire
Educating on the conservation of British owls
Advice on owl nest boxes
General information for all species
• Hunting habitats are essential to the success of artificial nest sites, and so habitat creation such as field margins and set aside for voles, woodland cover for wood mice, insecticide-free field habitats for invertebrates etc  are crucial to the success of these boxes and baskets. Without a reliable source of food, breeding success will be very limited.
• Natural material can be put inside nest boxes to provide material for a scrape e.g., leaf mulch, shredded paper etc - (Nb. Do not use sawdust as this can be harmful to birds if swallowed)
• Boxes may not always be used, but if they remain in place, they can provide a roost for owls during the winter and eventually may be used if an existing natural site is lost.

• Boxes can often be occupied by unwelcome squatters, such as squirrels, jackdaws etc. Once this has been positively established, these unwelcome guests should be evicted asap to ensure the box is available for the target species of owl.
• Owl nest boxes are unlikely to be used for breeding unless there is suitable habitats nearby. Click here for advice on habitats.
• Owls are low-flying birds and nest boxes for barn, tawny and little owls only need to be 6 - 12 ft off the ground. Boxes in danger of being interfered with by vandals should be positioned higher, with this in mind.
• Tawny owl, little owl and long-eared owl chicks all leave the nest at 3 - 4 weeks and will adventure away from the nest - provision should be made for this natural behaviour.
• Barn owl chicks do not ‘branch’ in the same way as the other species, and will only be fed by the parents in the nest, so any chicks found on the floor will need rescuing. Click here for advice on finding chicks.
• To establish if a nest site is being used, it is necessary to observe quietly the box/basket in the breeding season from a non-intrusive distance, and preferably under camouflage.  An adult observed bringing food to the nest would either be a male delivering food to a brooding female, or male/female delivering food to chicks - this will be confirmed by loud hissing from the chicks on receiving food (louder as they get older). Branched chicks will call for food from the tree canopy and will be found and fed by the parents.


This information is for guidance only - please contact me for more specific advice and nest box supply

Baskets For Long-eared Owls

Long-eared owls do not use hollows for nesting, but the nests of other birds in conifer woodland and also regularly on the top of hawthorn. They have also been know to nest at ground level.
Long-eared owl

Long-eared owls use the nests of crows, magpies etc for breeding - the use of artificial nesting baskets can simulate these natural nest sites.

Siting Long-eared Owl Baskets

• Garden-type hanging baskets, lined with twigs and carpet can be used, and secured to tree branch with wire

• Install at the top of trees or on hawthorn bushes

• Large areas of vole-rich habitat should be available nearby. Click here for habitat advice.

• Avoid siting close to any know sparrowhawk or magpie nests (young long-eared are often taken by these predators)


Long-eared owl chick Short-eared owl

The Short-eared Owl

It is not possible to provide artificial nesting sites for the ground nesting short-eared owl. So the best thing we can do is continue to campaign for protection of it’s upland breeding habitats and ensure we have sufficient unmanaged rough-grassland habitat in the south, as prescribed for barn owls,  for wintering short-eared owls that travel South in the autumn.


These vole-rich habitats will be found by nomadic short-eared owls and will provide an important source of food over the winter.

Long-eared owls will often use an abandoned crow’s nest or similar to nest - artificial nesting baskets can be offered as an option for this species.
The ground nesting short-eared owl breeds mostly in moorland environments and will
not take to boxes or baskets