Barn owl boxes are generally made in two forms:


  • Internal boxes. These are not usually weather proofed as they will be mounted inside a suitable building and modern barns can make great sites with a little consideration to the location of the box within the barn


  • External boxes. These boxes are weather resistant and mounted in a suitable outdoor location most commonly a tree or possibly an external wall 


Barn owls are a fully protected species but anyone can own and install an owl box however a licence is required for anyone undertaking any activity which is likely to result in the disturbance of nesting owls or their dependant young which includes opening the box to have a peek to see what's going on in there


If you want to view the inside of your owl box I recommend the installation of a camera when the box is first set up and before it is occupied​

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Photo courtesy of Craig Lindsay

                 Kit form

1 Basic bird box 

£17.00

4 Basic Bird boxes​

£60.00

Image by Shabbir Vavwala from Pixabay

BumBeeTartan bird box lids are recessed into the box back to help minimise rain penetration and draughts


Drain holes in the base help to ensure that rainwater does not accumulate within the box to affect any nest within

Solitary Bee box

Wedge type box


         Bird Box opening size guide


  25mm: Blue tit, Coal tit

  28mm: Great tit, Pied fly catcher    

  32mm: House sparrow

  45mm: Starling
  Open front: Robin, Wren



​Simple boxes like these are inexpensive and practical 


My bird boxes are made from untreated wood with no potentially harmful preservatives

As a result, I often get feedback that my bird boxes are occupied the same season that they are installed


The wood I use is FSC approved, locally harvested and milled


I can provide general guidance for siting and maintenance of nest boxes or you can visit the BTO and RSPB websites for detailed species information


Nest boxes are provided ready assembled but can be provided as a kit for self assembly and make great garden projects ​

 Visit the sites below for more ideas, inspiration and learn how easy it is to support amazing creatures that need a little help. If you need a little help to provide a little help, contact me. One small box can make a big difference by providing shelter for a wee beastie 

Bird Boxes

Tawny Tower Type

Barn Owl Boxes

Photo courtesy of Jim Malcolm

Wildlife Accommodation

Barn owls don't always nest in a barn. Barn owls will take advantage of any suitable shelter that they can find

 

   Roof felt is attached using adhesive 

   Roofing nails can create pressure points       which can fail and tear in high wind

   Adhesive secures the felt over the entire       face of the wood and resists tearing or   

   leakage if struck by a falling branch

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What did Wildlife do before boxes were made?

Due to a decline in the number of Bats they are a European Protected Species

Part of the decline of bats is due to loss of roosting places

Bats do not build or burrow to create roosts but take advantage of spaces created by other animals or spaces created in buildings or other man made structures

Bats are not rodents. Bats will not chew on cables or timber causing damage


Simple boxes which give bats a safe dry place to roost can be attached to trees or buildings

Anyone can own, build or install a bat box but once installed it can only be opened or approached legally by a licenced bat worker ​


Bats are a schedule 1 protected species under the Wildlife & Countryside Act. It is illegal for any member of the public to disturb a roost (which includes opening to take a peek), handle or kill any bat

However, you can still monitor your bat box without disturbance. Mouse sized droppings beneath the box are a sign that the box is occupied or observe from a distance at dusk to see if bats are exiting the box to hunt


If you are interested in bat conservation visit the Bat Conservation Trust for more information

Bat Boxes

Photo Courtesy of Craig Lindsay

£18.00

Aluminium surrounds

£4.00

Internal Barn Owl Box      £100.00

External Barn Owl Box £130.00



Prices are for boxes without mounting kit as some sites may not need it, particularly internal boxes


Mounting kits are normally £10.00 but may increase for unusual site conditions. 

Squirrel photos courtesy of Jim Malcolm 

Tawny Box. Tower or side entry
                     £130.00

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 UNTREATED WOOD


  My small boxes for feeders, birds, bats,

  bugs and butterflies are all made using untreated wood


  Some box makers use wood which is pressure treated 

  Toxic chemicals can leach from pressure

  treated wood when wet or damp


  These chemicals are lethal for insects and can contaminate food stored

   in the box or be ingested if the animal or bird

   pecks or gnaws on the wood

Producers recommend that pressure treated wood is not used near ponds as it is likely to harm fish


   I use 21mm thick rough cut untreated timber

  This provides improved insulation against cold or overheating during use  

   

  At end of use it can be disposed of safely

  by composting or burning without

  fear of chemical fumes or contamination


£16.00


"Kent" style

®

Image by Norbert Oriskó from Pixabay

A' things wood with a BumBeeTartan ® twist 

Tawny Owl Boxes

Support Wildlife and Boost Your Business 

And Finally ......

Basic bird box with new occupant

Tawny side entry


Discounts available for schools and community groups

All bird and bat boxes available

as kits for self assembly


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   All owl boxes have a softwood frame covered

with exterior grade plywood
   Protected with water based preservative 

​   Mineral felt roof attached with adhesive

   Mid point water bar with drainage holes

to protect nesting area (Tawny side entry)

   Mid entry opening for maintenance

   Corrosion resistant solid brass hinges & bolts for improved access & maintenance

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Many visitors come to Scotland to explore its landscape and enjoy its natural wildlife


A wildlife box can be installed on your property and fitted with a camera to provide your guests with a fascinating glimpse of nesting activity as they relax in the comfort of their bedroom at the end of the day​​​

               Assembled

1 Basic bird box 

£15.00

4 Basic Bird boxes​

£50.00

External Barn Owl Box

            

It may sound strange but kits require more preparation than an assembled box.

Assembled boxes are assembled quickly by me using a nail/stapler.

For kits, I have to pre-drill screw holes and screws are more expensive than staples

Kestrel Box

£120.00


Barn owl box built to the clients specifications

No external platform to try to discourage Pine Martens


 Installed with snow on the hills and although wet underfoot the box is dry

  and hopefully a barn owl will 

 make use of it soon

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Hedgehog houses, Butterfly houses, Bug hotels and Hibernation boxes made to order


Mature trees, river embankments and old buildings can provide shelter for many birds, owls and other small creatures


Mature trees can blow over, river embankments erode and old buildings may be demolished or renovated


It is through this loss of mature natural habitat, that many wildlife supporters install simple boxes which provide essential homes and shelter for a host of creatures



Hedgehog Box  

A simple box similar to the diagram  only £75.00

(Hedgehog not included)

The box you install might not be occupied by the creature you had in mind


Just because it is called an "Owl Box" or "Hedgehog box" there's no guarantee that an owl or hedgehog will take up residence

Any creature that takes a liking to the space may set up home

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Birds may roost in the box over winter or small animals may use it for hibernation


I have seen wood pigeons and squirrels snuggled up comfortably in owl boxes and bat boxes "adjusted" by Tree Creepers to nest in


But that's all part of the fun. At the end of the nesting or breeding season clean out the box refresh the bedding, maybe tweak the box location and see who takes up residence next year










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Particular care must be exercised in the location of Tawny owl boxes

Tawny owls can be fiercely aggressive in the defence of their territory and are likely to attack anything or anyone that approaches their nest or owlets


​Tawny owlets often fledge from the nest before they are really ready for the great outdoors.


The parents will continue to feed and protect the owlets while they are on the ground. The owlet may appear to be abandoned, but the parents will be nearby ready to attack anyone or anything that approaches the owlet


Tawny owl boxes are best sited within woodland well away from general public activity as anyone unknowingly approaching a nest or chick could be attacked ​



PAINT or PRESERVE 

YOUR  BOX


  All boxes can be painted on the exterior

  using water based paints or water based

  preservative commonly used for fences 


  The outside of butterfly

  houses & bug hotels

  can be colourfully painted or decorated    to make great garden features


  Birds Bugs n Butterflies don't mind what

  the outside of the box looks like

  as long as the box is safe on the inside