Owls nesting sites in the urban environment
Owls are naturally drawn to human settlements in pursuit of rodents but fail to establish healthy large populations in these areas due to this lack of nesting and roosting sites.
Different owl species have different nesting preferences.
Barn owls are cavity breeders and require a dark and enclosed space to lay their eggs in and rear their young. Spotted eagle owls are far less picky. Ideally, they prefer to lay their eggs on the ground on rocky outcrops.
However, due to urban traffic, feral cats etc. these natural nesting sites aren’t available to spotted eagle owls in residential areas.
Owls are naturally drawn to human settlements in pursuit of rodents but fail to establish healthy large populations in these areas due to this lack of nesting and roosting sites. This is where artificial roosts come into play.
At EcoSolutions we want to encourage the cohabitation of humans and wildlife in urban environments. By installing artificial roosts, nesting resources are given to owls, allowing them to establish thriving owl communities in cities.
Installing an owl box is a simple process, but there are a few considerations to consider such as positioning, habitat carrying capacity and type of owl box to install.
Have you spotted an owl in your neighbourhood? Email photos to ashtynm@caxton.co.za
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/231124/spotted-eagle-owls-grow-fast/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/231620/keep-the-romance-alive/
