OTTER PONDS DEMONSTRATION FOREST
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owl nesting boxes

Project Partner: St. Francis-Xavier University 

Project Description:

OPDF is a research site for a study into the breeding and migration of the Boreal Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl. On November 21st, 2016 Dan Hutt helped St. Francis-Xavier University researcher Randy Lauff, and his assistant Chad Brazier install eight owl nesting boxes at Otter Ponds in the hopes that some of them will be homes to owl families in the spring. "The owls are probably there, already", said Randy, "but the nesting boxes make it much easier for me to follow their progress". Much of the day was spent looking for just the right location: lots of canopy cover, but fairly open below so the owls can fly around easily and can see their prey of mice, voles and shrews. They prefer quiet areas away from no noisy burbling brooks which mask the sounds of prey. Randy and/or OPDF volunteers check the boxes annually for nests.

For instructions on how to build your own box, click here!


Picture
Photo credit: Dan Hutt
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  • Home
    • About OPDF
    • Where is OPDF?
    • Board of Directors
    • Publications
  • Workshops & Events
  • Research Projects
    • Tolerant Hardwood Management
    • Liming Trial
    • Nature Day Biota Survey
    • Owl Nesting Boxes
    • Spring Bird Counts
  • Tours
  • Contact Us