Description
The number of eagle owls has declined significantly over the years, mainly due to hunting. At one point, this species had even completely disappeared in Flanders and the Netherlands. After reintroduction and protection, the species has been doing better in the Low Countries in recent decades. Eagle owls are increasingly reappearing and occupying old trees, rock faces, but also the strangest places such as church towers or high masts. In Europe, the use of nesting boxes for eagle owls has been implemented for years. This has mainly happened in Northern and Eastern Europe, with Latvia, Denmark, Austria, and Slovenia being the leading countries. As the eagle owl is doing better here, artificial nests can now also be used in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Ecovery does not opt for braided baskets or open boxes because nesting boxes with a roof offer a greater chance of survival for young during bad weather conditions. This does not mean that baskets and open boxes have not already shown breeding success.
INSTALLATION
Eagle owls make their nests at very different heights and in exceptional cases even on the ground. Research shows that most nests, however, occur at a height between 6 and 20 meters. Possible nesting locations are thus very diverse. They are largely dependent on the food supply. Eagle owls are therefore found in areas where there is sufficient prey to be found even in winter. Eagle owls often breed on steep walls of sand and clay quarries or on rock walls of, for example, stone quarries, in tall trees and exceptionally even in church towers, castle towers or high business buildings. Eagle owl nests are also increasingly being found in the vicinity of landfills. The nest box is best placed with the large opening to the south.
