March 5, 2021

I decided to build a Barred Owl nest box since we have several Barred Owls here on the farm.

I modified the "typical" design that is commonly found on the internet. I made this one a little larger (with a 15X15" floor space). The box is 24" high at the front and 27" high at the back..

I use 1/2" external grade Plywood (although I probably should have gotten 1/2" pressure treated) that has been painted with external latex acrylic paint. Many plans on the internet suggest 3/4" plywood but this is overkill and only used since they are screwing plywood faces into plywood edges which is not a great way to join plywood, although most also use glue.

Instead, I use four 2X2's as corner posts to join the plywood together using 1 3/4" deck screws and predrilling to avoid splitting. This creates a very strong and much lighter weight build than when using 3/4" plywood. You could also glue the joints with this technique but I didn't this time.

I inserted a 3" eye bolt through each back outside edge and corner post of the house and I will hang via chain to 6" screw eyes that will be inserted half way into each side of the chosen tree. The box hangs by gravity and a back extension board (hanging about 8" below the box) naturally presses against the tree. A single 6" spike through a slot in this board will prevent side sway. It will only to hammered half way in (at the top of the slot) and the slot will allow upward box movement as the tree grows. I hope to put it on a large tree where growth rate will be slow anyways but just in case......

I'll show the placement of the house in a tree in a future video... Stay tuned!