Owl cage at work (pics)

[snowbug]

I have a GHO problem so I built a cage around my housing (3 Lonestar houses x 12 units ea on one pole caged & 21 Super gourds on other pole not caged). I bought and mounted 2 motion activated cameras to monitor the colony site. Last night @ 11:24 pm was the first owl visitor this year and looks like the cage done the job. I turn the cameras on about 1/2 hour before dusk and turn off after daylite in morn. Last nite one camera took 276 pics and the other took 213 pics. All pics were motion activated. I plan to monitor every nite until PMs leave in Aug. I have been concerned the GHO may fly up under the cage, but has not yet. I will close more of the bottom if the GHO goes up under. The PMs go thru the 2" wide x 4" high fencing with no problem. About 1/3 drop thru the top, 1/3 enter thru the sides and 1/3 fly under the cage. Three pics show the owl present, and a couple more pics show other motion shots. I will cage the gourds if needed. Jim

[Louise Chambers]

You've done a great job, both in adding cages and in monitoring. A few landlords with plenty of experience with owls have said that they will approach below, so you may need to protect the bottom of the cage, too. But since you are watching with such care, you should be able to stay on top of things - just like that owl!

[daveh]

Jim, cage looks great. It looks like it's mounted to top of pole. How did you do that and has it been thru any serious storms?

dave

[parkerdes]

WOW!!! You have quite a setup!!! I didn't see the owl until I went back & looked closer! Glad your cages are working for you!!!
Does your housing come down to do nest checks? # of pairs?
I put up predator lights last season when my site became more active with 12 pairs...so far...no owls! I will ask lots of questions about how you were able to make such awesome cages if I ever do have them!!!
Thanks for sharing!

[snowbug]

Louise, I decided to go ahead and protect the bottom sooner rather than later. Just got back from the hardware with materials. I will have it done before the w/e is over. I am thinking to only protect the bottom with about 4"x8" openings so the martins can use easily. The martins really like to drop down and out so I do not want to close to tight. 4"x8" openings in the bottom of the cage should keep a GHO out as it trys to fly up its wing span will be a factor. Your thoughts on the 4"x8"? Jim

parkerdes, the housing does lower for nest checks. I have a winch on the bottom that works good. I have about 50 pair occuping the shown 36 condo units and my gourd rack of 21 super gourds that is about 25' away. I considered the predator lights but went with the cage. Glad the lights are working for you. I have not heard much about the lights. I be glad to give more detail of the cage if needed. Jim

daveh, the cage is mounted to the pole and remains in place. It is put together with threaded fittings mostly and some welding. I built and installed the cage last Oct. so it has been thru some good storms here on the open waters edge in Port Clinton, OH. The pole is 3" sch. 40 steel pipe which is very strong. Sh. be ok. Jim

[Chriscreole]

wow nice setup, I saw my first owl fly over yesterday in the 4 years i been living in thr park.