Box 11: Green Acres Farm

Green Acres Farm, which is adjacent to Mapleview Farm in western Orange County, is yet another cattle farm with large, open pastures. (Noticing a theme?) It turns out that most large farms in central NC plant monoculture crops, typically corn or soybeans, which are not good habitat for Barn Owls. Cattle farms provide the open space these owls need, and lower grasses in which to trap unsuspecting rodents.

When the Dodson family graciously agreed to host a nest box, it allowed us to have four boxes within a relatively small area. Clustering nest boxes within a close range is believed to increase reproductive success rates in Barn Owls. With two boxes at Mapleview, and another at nearby Blue Moon Meadows, a box on the Dodson's land makes it difficult for migrating owls to ignore the area.

When I first scouted the farm, I was a little concerned that the hayfields might be too high. Like corn, hay, when it gets tall, becomes a deterrent for avian predators, as rodents have too many places to hide. But Norm and I decided that there was enough good habitat around to warrant a box, so we went ahead as planned. My friend Bonnie was there to help us out with site selection.

Tom and Norm had the box up and installed in about 20 minutes. The clouds overhead provided a nice visual backdrop.

Box #11 is fully installed at Green Acres Farm!! Box 12 should be going up in a couple of weeks at an Orange County horse farm. Stay tuned.