Nestboxes at Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre

Some of the designs implemented

Here are some of the nestbox designs in place at the Owl Centre with a short description of their intended species and the benefits to each species of using the box.

(Pictured right) is a Wood Mouse which made use of one of the Small Mammal Boxes at the centre. Bats and squirrels are two other mammal species which often use the nestboxes at the centre are.

The tiny pipistrelle bat (Britain's smallest bat) loves to roost upside down in the Treecreeper boxes at the site even though they have their own especially designed boxes . . . there is just no pleasing some animals.

Squirrels sometimes build their nests, called dreys, in the Tawny Owl boxes, but sometimes they do this at their own peril as Tawny Owls will eat squirrels from time to time.

The nestboxes also benefit the insect population serving as great winter hibernation stations for certain butterfly and moth species, the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly and Copper Underwing moth have both been recorded in nestboxes.

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The Small Mammal Box

This box is designed to cater for small wood-dwelling mammals such as shrews, woodmice, voles or the less common dormice.

Open-fronted (Robin Box)

This box type is most commonly used by Robins who are it’s intended inhabitants. The Robin makes a substantial nest and likes to sit well down inside the box, hiding its red breast and being just able to see over the lip at the front.

The Treecreeper Box

The wedge shape of this box tries to achieve conditions similar to those inside the crack of a tree – a tight fit – but just the kind of nest site that treecreepers love.

The Chimney Box

This box mimics the sort of hollow end to a branch that an owl would choose as a nest site in natural circumstances. It is mainly used by Tawny Owls.