The Power of a Perch - Nest Box Experiences Part 3

You can enhance the chances of attracting Screech Owls to your nest box  by using bird feeding stations in your yard that make good perches for the owls and other creatures.  We use two Gardman USA Wild Bird Feeding Kits that are very good as a bird feeding station and absolutely outstanding as sturdy perches. The only weakness is the pole that comes with the kit is in 4 sections and its not particularly strong or long-lasting, but we use 7ft pieces of copper plumbing pipe that makes the total kit quite strong and attractive. Its the hardware that comes with the kit that is the best part. It has held up quite well. Its sometimes hard to find this exact  kit but for now its still available through Amazon. Gardman makes another slightly different Deluxe feeding station that is  probably just as good.

We had a serious problem with squirrels climbing all over the feeders, but found the Woodlink 18" Squirrel Baffle did the trick in stopping them from ruining bird watching. The YouTube video below is a test we did a few months ago. This type of baffle could also be used to keep squirrels out of your Screech Owl box is it was on a sturdy galvanized metal pole. You may be able to find one for use on 4x4 wood posts, but if it doesn't swivel like this one the squirrels may well defeat it.

                                                              

These are the exact products used in the video above. We don't link unless we own and use it!!

Flyways to perch and nestbox

The second Gardman unit is used as a perch just for the owl box and creates a safe flyway pattern between heavy brush cover and the nest box,  making the box more attractive to the owls as well as serving as a great hunting perch at night. It is very common to see them sitting there and catching large bugs and lizards in the backyard grass which is pesticide free. It is also where they would meet during mating season and was no doubt a plus in selling the "house" to the female screech owl. Its all about neighborhood, neighborhood neighborhood.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Of course the twin perches will be generally attractive to all birds. Its always a rush to see a majestic Red-Shouldered Hawk stop by and perch in the yard.  Occasionally they will take out a Dove sitting on the perch or a snake from the yard. Hawks by day and owls by night!

Dragonfly

The perch is often used as a hunting perch in the daytime by insects such as large wasps and dragonflies. In this picture you can see the owl box in the distance in the lower right. Dragonflies eat an amazing amount of insects alleviating the need for heavy pesticide use.

Dragonfly

Dragonflies use the highest tip for a daytime hunting perch. Perches will attract more birds and are especially attractive to Screech Owls.