Wildlife

Wild Tawny Owl Nest Box Programme

Tawny owl nest box provision supplements natural tree cavities in managed woodland, supporting breeding success in areas where old trees have been removed.

Key Facts

Tawny owls readily use large nest boxes (30 cm internal diameter) positioned 3-5 metres up in trees
Boxes should face north or east to avoid overheating and be cleaned annually after use
Tawny owls produce 2-3 eggs per clutch and rely on vole population cycles for breeding success
Box installation in woodland with limited natural cavities increases local tawny owl breeding density
Monitoring boxes for chick ringing provides population data for national monitoring programmes

Welfare Considerations

Tawny owl nest box provision directly supports breeding success in woodland lacking natural cavities. Box monitoring contributes to population data that guides conservation management.

What You Can Do

Install tawny owl nest boxes in suitable woodland or large garden trees
Register boxes with the Barn Owl Trust or BTO nest record scheme
Avoid disturbance at active tawny owl nest boxes during the February to July breeding season