This is great, Jerry. Thank you. For those who don't know, this plan is a
page from the PGC publication Woodworking for Wildlife, a rendition of the
more comprehensive book by Carol Henderson of the same title, in my mind
for a long time THE go-to book on housing birds. There have been popular
imitations since, but not as effective nor as comprehensive! For example,
the PGC doesn't have Cliff Swallow plans while Henderson's does, and, not
sure, maybe Great-crested Flycatcher. But since, a lot of research has been
published modifying those plans in the more modern ornithological
literature, such as for bluebird and kestrel boxes, with much
experimentation, for things such as nest box orientation preferred by a
species and ideal nest box hole diameter size to optimize prey delivery to
chicks while, at the same time, minimizing avian and mammalian predator
access to the chicks. For example, regarding kestrels, research Michigan
State University raptor biologists, published in The September 2020 Journal
of Raptor Research, a journal Hawk Mountain scientists often publish in,
indicated precise measurements of the latter issue for large and smaller
boxes often built as a field-researched solution to the quandary. For 22.5
cm x 45 cm boxes, 8.75 diameter entrance holes were optimal. For 23.5 cm x
43.18 cm boxes, a more rectangular, on-end, hole 7.62 cm wide x 12.07 cm
long hole, curved at the bottom, was optimal. One can find the inches by
Googling "23.5 cm is" per measurement and it will instantly give them. My,
modern convenience! And orientations best for kestrel boxes were found by
researchers in the Wilson Bulletin, after decades of it being a topic of
speculation, in 2009, to optimize nest box temperature and hatching success
for kestrels, as northwest (9 of 9 successful nests) or southeast (9 of
12). As science is a process, confusingly, this may be improved upon or
challenged in the future. But these are the newest findings on those
specific two subjects I'm aware of. So, using Hendersons book or the PGC's,
available on Amazon and other online bookstores like Alibris, Abebooks,
Thrift Books (also an app), or Buteo Books, whether they are according to
these dimensions or not, and I don't have a copy right now, is fine. The
point is they may not be optimal, but they work, and is also, to get
SOMETHING OUT THERE. If we waited to be perfect we wouldn't do anything
since perfection is impossible. Older and modern studies agree that boxes
augment populations and are thus great "conservation tools", as the famous
Hammerstroms put it in their original study showing this back in I believe
the 1950s.
Better birding,
Grant Stevenson
Bethlehem, Lehigh County
<stevensongrant03...>
On Thu, Aug 22, 2024, 9:43 AM jerry Kruth <
<00000005ead0dac6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I've sent this specific note to an interested person, but thought it
> might be helpful to anyone else . . . ?
> Just do it!
> jk
> =========================
>
>
> Hi Jason, and thanks for your response.
> Here is a wonderful booklet on nestboxes, thanks to the PA Game
> Commission. Screech Owl box is #14.
>
>
> https://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationResources/GetInvolved/PublishingImages/Plan14.jpg >
> What I have found works best is to have several boxes (2-4?) clustered
> around an area. The owls like to move around.
>
>
> Building the boxes is easy. Use simple white pine boards. Getting them
> up is another matter.
>
>
> Boxes might be mounted onto a tree, rather than a pole, and at least 8-10
> above ground. I usually take a wire (romax), and attach to an upper corner
> of the box, then manage to "whip" the wire around the tree tand catch it,
> to attach to the other (pre-drilled) corner of the box. This then allows
> me to either hang the box from a limbby the wire, or usualy to drive screws
> through the backplate of the box, and secure it to the treethat way.
> Cordless drills are a godsend!
>
> THIS MOUNTING STUFF CAN BE DANGEROUS, BELIEVE ME, AND SHOULD NOT BE
> ATTEMPTED UNLESS ONE HAS THE STRENGTH AND BALANCE TO MANAGE THIS HEAVY BOX
> WHILE PERCHED ON LADDER RUNGS, BECAUSE IT WILL BE HEAVY AND BULKY, AND LIFE
> IS NOT THE SAME FROM ATOP A LADDER AS IT IS FROM TERRA FIRMA.
>
> At the end of the day, it's all do-able and when you hear a little owl
> purring from a box you made, and you see it''s little head sticking out, it
> will be worth it, believe me. Just plan and DO IT.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jerry
> =====================
>
> On Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 08:33:15 AM EDT, Jason Delp <
> <jmdelp12...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi! Yes we were talking about owl box plans at the Deauville Inn. You sat
> next to my wife and I at the bar. I have you my email and you were going
> to send me plans to build one. Thanks for reaching out again!
>
> Jason
> ====================
>
> On Wed, Aug 21, 2024, 10:27 AM jerry Kruth <gkruth...> wrote:
>
> second try!
> ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: jerry Kruth <gkruth...>To:
> <jmdelph12...> <jmdelph12...>Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
> at 10:24:58 AM EDTSubject: owl box problem (??? )
> Jason (?),
>
> Hi! I have a small paper note with your name, and email, and the note
> above "owl boxes?"?
> Sorry, but I can't remember this? Did we discuss? Is there something I
> can help you with?
> best wishes,
> Jerry KruthPgh
>
>
