An Idea For Discouraging Owl Attacks

[Bird Brain]

I recently installed a couple of solar powered, motion detection, security lights. If someone walks up my driveway at night, the motion detector senses them and lights them up. I wonder if one or two of these lights pointed up towards my gourds would light up an owl and scare them off? I do believe that owls are large enough to be picked up by the motion detector. I don't think owls would like a bright light shining on them every time they showed up. I am lucky enough to have a close enough fence to install 1 or 2 of these lights and point them towards the gourds. If you don't have a fence nearby, I bet you could mount one to an 8 foot T-Post hammered into the ground. I'd like some opinions, please.

[steve r]

The best thing I have used to keep owls away is sound. I have a speaker set amongst my gourds with a wire to a radio. The radio is the old stile that turns on and off with a timer. Haven’t had a owl attack in years.

[brent]

I’ll be following this post. Very interested. I’ve heard of soft noise (I think that”s what it’s called.) used to cover over the sounds the birds make and I’ve heard of moving light as a deterrent. Don’t know for sure but sure am interested in hearing what others have experienced. Brent

[Conrad Baker]

Also interested to know if any deterrent methods might cause the Martins to seek quieter surroundings, especially at night when the owls are more active.

[Spiderman]

I have dealt with Great Horned Owls for years. I have a Troyer Gemini gourd rack with horizontal gourds

I finally added a 2”x 4” wire cage around the gourd rack. Added netting from a batting cage to the top and bottom. It has stopped the Owl and he doesn’t come here anymore when the Martins are here.

It also ended the Cooper’s hawk attacks.

It does add some weight to the 3” aluminum pole (33lbs) and make nest checks more cumbersome.

Good Luck I tried sound and lights with little success. He is an apex predator and after dark fears nothing.

[Spiderman]

Buy a Game Camera from Academy ($40) and set it up to face your Martin housing.

It will tell you everything you need to know about your owl’s patterns and behavior at night.

[brent]

Spiderman, what is the name of that camera? Thanks. Brent

[brent]

Anyone know the name of a good game camera? Thanks. Brent

[Spiderman]

Hi Brent, I tried to return your email but was unsuccessful.

The camera I bought from Academy was a Muddy Hunter 14 Trail Camera.

In addition you will need a 32 GB (Class 10) SD Card from Walmart, (buy two cards and swap them once a week to review the pictures)

Lastly you will need eight AA Duracell batteries, batteries will last you six to nine months.

Hope this helps. It will capture hawk attacks during the day and owl visits at night.

[brent]

Thanks Spiderman. Great help. Going shopping soon. Birds just arriving. Counted 8 this evening. Houses will be full before you know it. Thanks, Brent