Box 7: Bennett Property

Back in December, when we were placing our second Barn Owl box at Mason Farm, we were approached by a gentleman who wanted to know where to get one of these boxes for his own property. I politely mentioned that we were placing nest boxes for Barn Owls, which require 25 to 50 acres of open habitat at a minimum, and that he likely would do better with Barred Owl boxes (see previous post). The gentleman replied that he had such open habitat, and that he would pay for the box if necessary. So we exchanged phone numbers, and set a date to walk his land.

I was especially intrigued that the property was adjacent to Cane Creek reservoir, which is close to where we are placing the majority of our boxes in Orange County. The more boxes in an area, the better chances of attracting and sustaining owls. It also turns out that Norm had a connection with this gentleman, prominent attorney Walter Bennett, and his wife, Betsy Bennett, former director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Norm had taught the Bennett's daughter back when he was a science and math teacher at Carolina Friends School. It seemed preordained that Walter would approach us that day.

When I first walked the land, I realized just how lucky we were to place a box there. The property is perfect for Barn Owls!! The Bennetts, inspired by Betsy's stint at Prairie Ridge ecostation in Raleigh, are converting much of their land to native grasses: bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass. Much of the North Carolina Piedmont was once covered by native prairie, perfect habitat for Barn Owls. When Europeans arrived, the native grasses were converted to European and Asian species, which could better support cattle and other livestock. Barn Owls adapted, but several other native grassland species did not. Here was an opportunity to place a nest box in traditional habitat (similar to what can be found at Mason Farm Biological Reserve).

Norm and I arranged to meet the Bennetts on a Sunday in late March, but due to weather, we were forced to move the installment to Saturday. The installation crew was a bit scattered. Norm had forgotten his drill, which we needed to mount the nest box. I had forgotten the nest box altogether, leaving it at Anilorac Farm with box number 8! We went back to get the box, and Walter brought us a drill.

We quickly found a suitable site within the native grasses. The Bennett's dogs were very excited by all the commotion. They spent their time chasing bunnies and cotton rats, while we went about our business, like unloading our pole mount.  Look out below, doggie!!

Within minutes, we had the nest box installed. Aside from the Bennett property itself, Barn Owls would have hundreds of acres of adjacent farm fields to hunt rodents. In terms of Barn Owl real estate, this is a million dollar condominium just ready for the taking. Pictured from left to right are Walter, Norm, and Betsy.

The Bennett nest box illustrates what can happen when local Audubon chapters team up with landowners to assist native wildlife. We hope many more landowners in the Orange, Chatham, and Durham county area will follow. After all, a simple $250 investment can bring effective rodent control, along with the satisfaction of helping out a native species.

Box #7 fully installed!!! Lucky number 7. Any Barn Owls that take up residence in this box are lucky indeed.