How to Hang a Screech Owl Box With a Wire

Preparation

• 1

  Use the pencil and tape measure to mark an X 1 inch from each side on the top of the back of the nest box.

• 2

  Attach an eye screw into the center of the back of the nest box at each of the marked spots. Turn the screws into the box until they are flush with the wood and perpendicular to the back of the box.

• 3

  Insert approximately 3 inches of the short piece of wire into one of the eye screws and wrap the wire tightly around itself to secure it to the eye screw.

Installation

• 4

  Select a tree with a 36- to 48-inch diameter trunk and at least one 18-inch diameter branch 12 to 15 feet above the ground at the edge of an open area.

• 5

  Extend the ladder to its full length and lean it firmly against the tree.

• 6

  Ask an assistant to steady the bottom of the ladder as you carefully carry the long piece of wire up the ladder to just above an 18-inch diameter branch that is 12 to 15 feet above the ground.

• 7

  Face the tree trunk while standing on the ladder. Hold the wire in one hand and, with the other hand, wrap the wire around the tree trunk above and at the base of the tree limb. Pull the two ends of the wire together until the wire is snug (not tight) around the trunk and is resting on the tree limb. Wrap the two ends of wire together to secure it against the tree.

• 8

  Ask your assistant to continue holding the ladder firmly against the trunk as you go down the ladder, retrieve the nest box and climb back to the wire that is around the tree.

• 9

  Insert the loose end of the wire on top of the nest box under the wire around the tree trunk.

• 10

  Grasp the loose end of the wire on top of the nest box. Insert it through the other eye screw and twist the wire tightly around itself to fasten it securely to the eye screw.

• 11

  Turn the nest box so that the back of the box is firmly against the tree trunk.