Thank you for your kind words! Your land sounds ideal - good luck!

Thank you very much!

That's great to hear - well done you! Fingers crossed that a pair of Barn Owls find your new home soon!

Good luck!

And thanks for yours - taking care of so many nestboxes and their occupants!

Yeah, sorry. We'll get there .

What a brilliant present! Glad you found our video useful - thanks.

Fantastic - thank you and well done! You're very welcome - let us know how you get on - here's hoping for some happy residents very soon!

Excellent idea - good luck!

Thank you and good luck!

Even as president I doubt Lincoln could afford to purchase a Festool. For most of the world, a table saw is out of the question also. YMMV

Lincoln was a dewalt guy

Excellent! Hope you get some contented residents soon!

The best!

Good luck!

Thanks Steve. Just make sure that the box is dry before putting it up and you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck!

Hi John, the plywood needs to be waterproofed and made with a waterproof adhesive (EN314-2, Class 3). Yes it can be painted - just make sure that the paint is thoroughly dry and fume free before putting the box up. Hope that helps - Good luck!

I hope your dream comes true friend

Fly high brother, fly high

Thanks for your kind comments Dennis. We are a very small charity, focussed on Barn Owls in the UK. We do offer some advice for US Barn Owl nestboxes here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/american-barn-owls/ which needs to be a larger version of the nestbox in the video, plans here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/ Good luck!

@@BarnOwlTrust1 Thank you for the links. I really appreciate it. I'm going to start building my box today. I noticed a lot of video's on here show them building the box out of cedar or other type of wood. You're the only one who uses treated plywood and that's my choice as well. I'll get back to you when I have mine finished.

Good luck - and yes, let us know how you get on!

Thanks Robert - glad you're happy with the box and the tutorial. The side batons are meant to be angled to fit against the nestbox, so that rain water drains away from the slightly sloping platform. More info here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/ Hope this helps.

Hi Glenn - thanks for your question, I've passed it on to our nestbox builders, and will get back to you. :)

Try to erect the box in a well ventilated area in the shade if possible and paint the outside white to reflect the heat. More about US Barn Owls & nestboxes here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/american-barn-owls/

Thank you! You could put roofing felt down the sides - we just think that it won't make a huge difference to the longevity, and not doing so saves cost and weight. If you try it let us know how you get on!

@@BarnOwlTrust1 Will do! thanks for getting back to me....

I was thinking of something similar, only extending the roof over the sides of the box to create eaves that protect the box from rain.

Thanks - I'll ask our handy-woman for you...

Jigsaws are great for cutting curves but not so useful for straight lines

Hi Jami, you probably know more about different types of sealants than we do, however, here in the UK, we use Ever-Build Weather-Mate, which is "a multi-use adhesive and gap filler based on an advanced isocrylic formula that provides the ultimate weather proofing protection for adhesion to all surfaces." We have not had any problems with owls being affected by fumes or pecking at it, and it does the job well. Hope this helps. www.everbuild.co.uk/product/weather-mate/

Thanks! Ideally, the front of the box should face away from the prevailing weather if possible, but we haven't found the hatch to be a problem. Rainwater is more likely to get in through the entrance hole, if the box is very exposed. If this cannot be prevented, drill some small holes in the base for drainage. More here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

Thanks for the tip!

Hello Sascha, the Beech Marten (A.K.A. Stone Marten) will steal Barn Owl eggs and chicks in many areas of Europe, but this species is not found in the UK. While there are some Pine Martens in the UK, this species is still very rare and has little effect on Barn Owls. We do not know of any Barn Owls boxes that incorporate a labyrinth, and Barn Owls usually use nest sites where the entrance can be accessed directly.

Good advice!

Thanks for your comment. It's important that a Barn Owl nestbox lasts for as long as possible, as it may be in constant use for many years. We recommend that any timber liable to decay within 20 years should be treated with long-lasting preservative: either pressure treated (tanalised) or surface treated (including all edges of all component parts) before assembly. As long as the product instructions are followed and all parts are dry before assembly, this does not cause any problems for the owls. More info here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

Hi Pete - it's great that you built a nestbox. No - don't help them! The box design is deep on purpose so that the young owls cannot get out until they start to learn to fly and are strong enough to look after themselves. More about safe nestbox design here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/hazards-solutions/poor-barn-owl-nestbox-design/

Hi Mate, - there are free plans and dimensions here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/#tree-box-dimensions Hope that helps!

Our nestbox designs are most suitable for the UK, where there are no common predators for owls. Probably best to consult with local wildlife experts for what's best in your area.

Barn Owls are found in Texas, but it would probably be best to talk to a local wildlife group for specific advice. Most of our information is about UK owls - but we do offer advice about US Barn Owl nestboxes: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/american-barn-owls/ Good luck!

Grey squirrels can be a nuisance and unfortunately we've yet to find an easy answer. People have tried strong smelling substances such as coffee grounds and chilli pepper (owls have no sense of smell), and these seem to work some of the time. Clearing the squirrels' nest debris out as frequently as possible may also help to deter them (but do be sure that no birds get disturbed). Good luck!

@@BarnOwlTrust1 Thank you for the information and I will give it a try.

We use 25mm x 50mm tanalised batten - but the height doesn't have to be exact - it's for the owl to be able to easily grip the edge of the platform. Hope that helps. Good luck!

@@BarnOwlTrust1 Thank you!!

Barn Owl nest boxes usually need clearing out every 2-3 years - the front of the owl box should have an access panel to enable nest debris to be cleaned out. More info here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/clearing-out-barn-owl-nest-spaces/

If you erect a box inside a Barn Owls home range it could be occupied at any time. If you erect a box where there are no Barn Owls then August-November is the most likely time (when dispersing young are establishing their home range). www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/barn-owl-home-range/

Thanks William - the dimensions for the Barn Owl tree box can be downloaded from here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/#tree-box-construction Reply ·

The minimum recommended height for the nestbox entrance hole is 3 metres above ground level: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/sitemap/galleries/suitable-positions-barn-owl-nestboxes-buildings/

Hi Jeffrey - our design is free for any personal or educational use (please check with us for commercial use). This design is suitable for UK and European Barn Owls - elsewhere, please check with local experts for suitability. US Barn Owls for example are bigger: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/american-barn-owls/

@@BarnOwlTrust1 thank you, is definetly not for comercial use. I am from Honduras and I`m trying to create a Barn Owl Conservation Movement, wich is not endagered but people in some places hunt them because they think they are witches or other people take the chicks from the nest for sell them. I own a one year old female Barn Owl, rescued from poachers when she was only three weeks old.

Well done for doing this important work - hope our website is useful for you.

The nestbox will prevent rain from getting in, if you follow the instructions carefully. The top of the owl box should be covered with heavy duty roofing felt and a waterproof sealant should be used in all the wood joints. The front, back and sides must overhang the floor of the box. More info here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

Nestboxes need to be at least 3m above ground level. Lots more info here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

Yep - free DIY plans and instructions on our website: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/ :)

Here's what to look for: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/signs-barn-owl-occupation/ Good luck!

Our advice is mainly for UK owls, so we'd recommend consulting a wildlife organisation in your area. Good luck!

Hi Roger - the Barn Owl tree box plans are here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/#tree-box-construction

@@BarnOwlTrust1 I have extra 30 year roof laying around. Will that be to hard to work with?

Modern pressure treated plywood should no longer contain arsenic (it was banned in the UK and the US several years ago). 9mm exterior quality ply will be fine. Good luck with your box building! www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

There's probably a local group of birdwatchers in your area. You should contact them, I'm sure they know exactly which of your local birds need nestboxes.

Hi - yes it would be a good idea to find out what sort of owls and other birds live in your area, as different species need different types of nest boxes :)

If you make it yourself, the plans are on our website for free - so it's just the cost of the materials. www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/ If you'd like to buy one ready made, we sell them in our on-line shop here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/product/barn-owl-nestbox-for-use-on-trees/ Hope that helps :)

@@BarnOwlTrust1 Yes, thank you. Quick question - do Barn owls make nests?

Barn Owls don't build nests - they will lay their eggs on any high up and hidden flat or concave surface - most often in the bottom of a cavity (such as a tree hollow or nestbox) or on a wide ledge (such as a flat wall-top or the upper floor in a church tower). More here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/how-to-manage-land-for-barn-owls/roosting-nesting-places/

Yes - 25 x 50mm batten is 1x2 inches. :)

Hello. This entrance size would not be applicable to Barred Owls. They are much bigger than Barn Owls. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barred_owl). There are lots of plans for a Barred Owl nestbox available on the internet try: www.mynatureapps.com/building-a-barred-owl-nest-box/

BarnOwlTrust Thank you very much! Keep up the good work.

You can certainly paint the outside of the box. Some people just want a different colour, but just as valid is the added protection that some sorts of paint can provide. If it is for protection purposes, it would be best to paint the outward facing sides and the edges of the pieces before the box is assembled. The paint should be completely dry before erecting the box.

We're a very small charity based in the UK, so unfortunately we're not able to provide translations at the moment. :(

Dr KESmith Channel www.barnowltrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/outdoor-nestbox-cutting-plan.jpg

Hi - you can find these measurements on our website: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/barn-owl-nestboxes/#barn-owl-nest-box-dimensions

Actually, Americans need to abandon the medieval measure system and start using the metric system like 99 % of the world does.

Ceader is normally used small bird house? don't rote . would good choice for owl box? owl box all owl species just barn owls

This design is best for Barn Owls in the UK - US Barn Owls are bigger and need a bigger box. The hole size can be kept small - 5 x 5 inches - to help deter other creatures. We don't have experience of using cedar, but any local, long lasting wood would probably be fine. And we don't know much about raccoons either - we have trouble with Jackdaws, and have not found a way to stop them nesting in an owl box - the trouble is, they're more clever than owls - it's probably the same with raccoons! More about American Barn Owls here: www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/american-barn-owls/

Your comment has been noted - thank you.

Liked the music - rather john renbournish