How to Attract Tawny Owls

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Tawny owls are fascinating birds known for their distinctive calls and nocturnal habits. If you're interested in observing these majestic birds up-close, attracting them to your garden can be a formidable but rewarding project. This guide outlines the steps that can create a welcoming environment for tawny owls to increase your chances of encountering these elusive birds in their natural habitat.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Setting up a Nest Box

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  1. 1
    Put up a nest box suitable for tawny owls to lay eggs and raise their young. As the tawny owl is a stocky bird, this box must be at least 50 cm (19.7 inches) in height, with an entrance hole area of approximately 15 cm (5.9 inches) in diameter. More internal space increases the likelihood of attracting tawny owls. Additionally, the height of the top fixing point should be between 3 - 4m (10 -13 ft) and at a 45-degree angle. Boxes with a tube-shaped design are ideal, as tawny owls often nest in hollow tree branches. [1]
    • A nest box with a second chamber for adult owls to perch may increase the chance of a tawny owl nesting within it. Avoid putting a bottom on the area beneath the perches to prevent a build-up of droppings.
    • Face the entrance of the box away from prevailing wind to ensure adults can easily access the box, and to make it easier for chicks to conserve warmth.
    • You should construct or buy a long-lasting nest box out of good-quality materials, such as WBP or marine plywood of thickness 1.2 cm (0.5 inches). Other useful features include galvanised screws to prevent rust, a sloped roof for rainwater to run off, large holes drilled into the underside for drainage (no less than 1.2cm/0.5 inches in diameter), and a side door for inspection and cleaning, secured with a latch. [2]
    • The tree on which the box is placed should be mature and in a secluded area, to avoid disturbing the owls.
  2. 2
    Clean out the nest box well outside the breeding season, ideally in early autumn. Although most tawny owl chicks are fully mature by this time, young birds can seek to establish territory at this time of year, so ensure you wear goggles and head protection. Female tawny owls can become extremely territorial when defending their chicks from perceived harm. Additionally, wear rubber gloves and a dust mask to protect against disease. Empty all debris, disinfect the box with a solution of water, and put down a fresh layer of wood shavings in the nest area. [3]
    • You may also find wasps or roosting owls in the nest box when cleaning it out, so approach with extreme caution. Ideally, clean out the nest box in calm, dry weather to decrease the likelihood of disturbing an owl sheltering from adverse weather conditions inside.
    • Tawny owls can begin seeking nesting sites as early as November, so it is vital to clean out the box in October, well after the current year's breeding season has ended, and before they begin to look for a home for the next breeding season [4]
    • Tawny owl chicks like to leave the nest before their flight feathers have formed, to develop balance and stretch their wings. This does not mean you should attempt to clean the nest while they are exploring.
    • While exploring, tawny owl chicks can sometimes fall from trees. If you find a fallen chick, remember that its parents are likely nearby. Place the chick on the nearest tree to allow it to climb back to safety. Avoid taking the chick home and feeding it, as a domesticated chick cannot be released back into the wild, resulting in a lifetime spent in captivity. [5]
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  3. 3
    Recognise where tawny owls are most likely to nest. As woodland dwellers, these adaptable owls will live almost anywhere where trees can be found, such as urban parks and gardens, hedgerows, copses, and larger areas of forestry. [6]
    • The densest populations of tawny owls are found in deciduous, broad-leaved woodland, although coniferous forest and scrubland may also house reasonably sized populations.
  4. 4
    Avoid placing tawny owl boxes near sparrowhawk and long-eared owl nesting sites, to avoid competition for prey. These three species have overlapping diets which primarily consist of small mammals and birds. Placing nest boxes too closely to each other can lead to intense competition for these limited resources. This depletes prey populations, increases chick mortality rates, and increases displays of territorial aggression. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Sustaining Food Sources and Habitat

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  1. 1
    Nurture and maintain mature trees, and leave dead wood standing, where safe to do so. Tawny owl breeding and winter populations, and their ranges, are decreasing. Providing suitable nest cavities and habitats for their prey (such as invertebrates and small mammals) can help conserve existing populations, or attract new ones. When managing hedgerows, one deciduous tree should be allowed to mature, as these provide a habitat for both tawny owls and their prey. [8]
    • Plantations of deciduous, broad-leaved trees next to existing woodland can help grassland rich in tawny owl prey develop, and provide nesting sites for tawny owls once the trees mature.
  2. 2
    Create a pond to attract tawny owls' prey, preferably next to existing woodland. Aquatic habitats encourage small birds, amphibians, and invertebrates, which are all part of a tawny owl's diet and could attract them. In particular, in-field ponds mean that arable landscapes can also become suitable hunting grounds for tawny owls. [9]
    • Tawny owls show preference for locations with water access when choosing a habitat. [10]
  3. 3
    Put up tawny owl nest boxes in woodland areas with a particular shortage of mature trees or holes for tawny owls to nest in. Nesting sites are particularly valuable where there is a distinct lack of them available, and providing them increases your chances of attracting a tawny owl to the area.
    • Tawny owls are highly territorial and do not migrate. When young birds mature and leave the nest, if they can't find an empty territory to claim as their own, they will often starve, so creating multiple owl-friendly environments, in as many suitable locations as possible, can help attract more tawny owls. [11]
  4. 4
    Avoid mowing grassy areas. Tawny owls, like many owl species, prefer to hunt their prey out in the open where they are easier to spot and swoop down on. Long grass provides a habitat for small mammals such as mice and shrews, which are primary prey for tawny owls. [12]
  5. 5
    Provide a bird bath for tawny owls. A small pool of water is an inviting location for tawny owls to bathe and a valuable water source in warmer months. Place a polythene sheet in the basin to make it easier to remove ice in the winter months, when many water sources are frozen over. Experiment with placement initially, finding sites with perches and nearby trees for cover. Use a water depth of 2.5 cm to 10 cm (1-4 inches). [13]
    • Clean out your bird bath every few days, wearing gloves and rinsing the bath out with a purpose-made cleaner or dilute household disinfectant. Scrub it well to prevent the build-up of algae.
    • Avoid using shiny, slippery containers - birds should be able to grip onto it with their feet.
  6. 6
    Offer bare branches and tall posts for tawny owls to perch on. As birds of prey, owls need a clear view of the ground below to perch and scan for prey. Bare branches on dead trees, fence tops, and the tops of posts can all encourage a tawny owl to use your garden as a nesting site.
  7. 7
    Plant a variety of native plant species in your garden. Native plants attract native insects, which are a crucial part of the tawny owl's food chain. These insects attract small mammals and birds, providing a natural and sustainable food source for them. [14]
    • Planting a mix of shrubs, ground cover, and trees can create a diverse habitat that supports a wide range of prey species.
    • Consider including berry-producing plants, which attract small birds and mammals, indirectly supporting the tawny owl's food chain.
  8. 8
    Set up a wildlife camera near the nest box or common perching areas. This allows you to observe the owls' behaviour without disturbing them, and see which food sources they are exploiting in your area, so you can preserve and maintain these areas. While photographing tawny owls at night can be a time-consuming process, a wildlife camera allows you to observe whether you have successfully attracted these elusive birds.
    • Use infrared cameras to capture nocturnal footage without the need for artificial lighting, which can disturb the owls.
    • Regularly review footage to identify patterns in owl behaviour and movements, which can help you make further adjustments to your garden.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Area Tawny Owl-Safe

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  1. 1
    Avoid using pesticides and rat poison around your home. Poisoned rodents can cause secondary poisoning in tawny owls if they ingest the carcasses. Small mammals are primary tawny owl prey, and sick rodents, which can't flee as quickly, or dead rodents, which are very easy to catch, can also poison tawny owls once ingested. [15]
    • Several rodent poisons are not instantly fatal, so a rodent may wander out into the open before dying. Don't assume that just because rodents aren't dying instantly, these poisons aren't in effect or capable of harming a tawny owl.
  2. 2
    Keep pets indoors at night. As nocturnal birds, tawny owls are at risk of being startled off by wandering pets. Owls will also willingly attack or even predate small pets, up to the size of a small dog. It is important for the safety of both pets and tawny owls to keep them apart.
  3. 3
    Turn off your lights at night. The light pollution from artificial lights can disorientate tawny owls when hunting, as their eyes and ears are adapted to almost total darkness, so light conditions at night will deter owls altogether. As cautious and smart birds, owls in general won't enter an area they don't feel safe in. [16]
    • A BTO citizen science survey suggested that one of the two strongest factors influencing whether tawny owls were present was artificial light. Numbers declined as the degree of artificial light increased. [17]
  4. 4
    Avoid baiting a tawny owl while trying to catch them. They can quickly become reliant on food provided by humans which is harmful for both their hunting instincts and their health, as it can attract them to locations such as busy roadsides, to which they are not adapted to, and they may die from collisions with vehicles. [18]
  5. 5
    Do not attempt to feed a visiting tawny owl. Human disturbance can not only scare off the owls themselves, but human scent can attract predators to nesting sites. Even if an owl appears to tolerate close approach, you could scare the owl away, or push them towards dangerous situations such as swooping into roads. [19]
    • Common signs a tawny owls appears threatened by your presence are fidgeting, staring at you, head-bobbing and changing position. If an owl exhibits these signs, you are far too close to it and must move back immediately.
    • Do not attempt to 'domesticate' an owl chick. Once reliant on humans, they can never be released back into the wild and face a lifetime in captivity.
    • If you decide to photograph a tawny owl from afar, turn off your camera flash, as it can harm their eyes.
  6. 6
    Clear up any loose netting in your area. As tawny owls swoop in low and silently to catch their prey from fields or the forest floor, they can become entangled in it or it can prevent them from reaching prey altogether. This deters them from your area.
  7. 7
    Carefully handle any injured tawny owls you find. Wear leather gloves and gently grasp its body from behind so that your thumbs lie together up its spine, its legs are between your hands, and your fingers splay out over its folded wings. Transport the owl to an experienced rehabilitator or vet as soon as possible in a solid-sided pet container with a large towel inside, or a large, secure cardboard box with a few ventilation holes. [20]
    • Do not put an owl with a major bone fracture, like a broken wing, in an oversized container. Instead the owl should be wrapped in a large towel, or placed in a loosely - woven sack, allowing it to breathe and ensuring it doesn't get tangled. This aims to immobilise the injury, regulate temperature and reduce stress from thrashing around. [21]
    • Tawny owls tangled in wire or netting may require the material to be cut and passed to a vet or rehabilitator for the remaining material to be removed. If you are unable to remove the owl from the setting safely, phone an animal rescue as soon as possible and give the details of the incident, and your location.
    • Do not subject the injured tawny owl to temperature extremes, or leave it in locations where it will likely dehydrate.
  8. 8
    Avoid using barbed wire fencing. Low-swooping owls can become impaled, tangled, or career into the barbs. Instead, avoid barbed wire where possible, and increase fencing visibility by covering the top wire with PVC pipe, hanging flagging or using high-visibility wire, so fences are easier for owls to spot and avoid. [22]
    • Fencing with wooden poles, a high-tensile coated top wire and thicker wire are more visible to not only owls but other animals such as deer and low-flying grouse. Spacing rungs further apart can also allow various species to swoop or climb through.
  9. 9
    Be aware of seasonal changes and how they affect tawny owls. For example, during the winter months, food and water may be scarcer, and additional support may be necessary, such as providing a bird bath or making sure your pond isn't frozen over to provide further food sources.
    • Provide shelter options, such as dense foliage, to help owls find refuge during harsh weather. Avoid cleaning out nest boxes in adverse weather conditions, as you risk releasing an owl into dangerous conditions if they are roosting inside.
  10. 10
    Place window stickers on your windows to avoid owls colliding with them. Seeing the reflection of a skyline or vegetation can disorient a tawny owl, leading them to believe they are flying through open space. To avoid fatal collisions, placing stickers can help the birds recognise that it isn't a space they can fly through. [23]
    • Alternatively, vertical blinds, designs drawn with erasable pens, and frosted glass all help to prevent tawny owls from accidentally flying into windows.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/bird-feeders-boxes-tables/bird-houses-nest-boxes/tawny-owl-nest-box.html
      2. ↑ https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/tawny-owl-nest-box-plan.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.wildlifegardener.co.uk/jeff-durham-11.html
      4. ↑ https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/a-z-garden-birds/tawny-owl
      5. ↑ https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/bird-feeders-boxes-tables/bird-houses-nest-boxes/tawny-owl-nest-box.html
      6. ↑ https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/uk-owl-species/tawny-owl-facts/
      7. ↑ https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/tawny-owl-monitoring-guide.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/large-scale-citizen-science-survey-common-nocturnal
      9. ↑ https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/uk-owl-species/tawny-owl-facts
      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_owl
      2. ↑ https://animalia.bio/tawny-owl
      3. ↑ https://www.green-feathers.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-attract-owls-to-your-garden
      4. ↑ https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/page/bird-baths
      5. ↑ https://www.audubon.org/news/grow-these-native-plants-so-your-backyard-birds-can-feast
      6. ↑ https://www.owlresearchinstitute.org/attracting-owls-to-your-backyard
      7. ↑ https://www.owlresearchinstitute.org/attracting-owls-to-your-backyard
      8. ↑ https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/peer-reviewed-papers/large-scale-citizen-science-survey-common-nocturnal
      9. ↑ https://www.owlresearchinstitute.org/attracting-owls-to-your-backyard
      10. ↑ https://www.ctaudubon.org/2024/02/observing-an-owl-heres-what-to-do-to-keep-you-and-the-owl-safe/
      11. ↑ https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a-live-owl/
      12. ↑ https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/picking-up-a-live-owl/
      13. ↑ https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/LandWater/PrivateLandPrograms/FencingWithWildlifeInMind.pdf
      14. ↑ https://www.owlrehab.org/window-collisions/

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