Boxes 15-18: Butner Gamelands and Flat River Impoundments

The Butner Gamelands and Flat River Waterfowl Impoundments offer some of the best potential Barn Owl habitat in central North Carolina. Near the Granville County line in northern Durham County, these lands were set aside by the Army Corps of Engineers for waterfowl hunting, after the creation of Falls Lake. Today, state officials manage the vast acreage for various species of duck, as well as popular game species like Mourning Dove, Woodcock, and Snipe. The combination of flooded impoundments, dry open fields, hedgerows, and fragmented forest also provides ideal conditions for small rodents. The abundance of small rodents in turn feeds the resident predators, which include coyote, fox, bobcat, and various birds of prey.

Barn Owls are highly adapted to flooded wetland and marsh environments. In the Eastern US, the Barn Owl is most associated with coastal marshes, low country grasslands, and inland wetland areas near agricultural fields. The contiguous nature of the Butner Gamelands, along with the quality wetland and grassland habitat, make it an ideal location for our nest box program.

In early December of 2013, I approached Chris Baranski of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission about placing some Barn Owl boxes on the gamelands and surrounding properties. Chris was very accomodating, and even offered to help with the siting process. He knows the gamelands as well as anyone, being the land manager, an avid hunter, and a current resident on the property. By early January, Chris had helped us select four or five optimal nest box locations, and had our project approved by all the necessary agencies.

On "Superb Owl" weekend in late January, we had four boxes and mounting systems ready to go. Because I had managed to injure my back (lifting 80lb bags of concrete can do that), I called upon Sasha and Tom to help out with installation. Norm and I wanted to get all four boxes installed in one day, so we needed two trucks. We loaded the equipment we needed during a heavy downpour.

We arranged to meet Chris, who offered to help with installation, on Monday morning. We had all arrived a little bit early, so some milling around and comparison of pickup trucks ensued. This is the trusted process men use to assess work situations and figure out logistics.

It wasn't long, however, before Sasha had us back on task. We had four boxes to install, and rain clouds continued to threaten. Luckily for me,  I wouldn't have to do any real work, as my back was experiencing agonizing bouts of spasm.

Within minutes, the team had assembled the first nest box. After putting up more than a dozen of these things, we had the system pretty much down pat.

Below, Sasha, Chris, and Tom model our first installation of the day. Sitting in a patch of blackberry and sumac, adjacent to several dove fields and equipment sheds, this box offers excellent accomodations to potential Barn Owl residents.

By 11am, we had hardly even gotten started. The team was soon on the task of putting up the second nest box. I have to say, it's really nice being the photographer during the installation process. These tires are heavy!!!

Norm is all business during these operations, but Tom and Sasha find ways to keep things light. Here's Sasha wielding a machete. I'm pretty sure Tom is only laughing out of nervousness.

Chris seemed right in his element during this process. I'm convinced he was having even more fun than we were. Here he is using a chainsaw to clear out space in the hedgerow.

I really enjoy installation pictures, because a lot of prep work goes into scouting the locations, ordering the parts, assembling the poles and boxes, and transport. When a box finally goes up, there's a palpable feeling of euphoria in the air. It feels great to be outside, doing something tangible for a threatened wildlife species. Here's the assembly gang next to the second nest box at Butner Gamelands.

Like the box we installed earlier in the day, this one overlooks dove fields, which are primarily planted in millet during the springtime. There are plenty of voles and cotton rats to be had in these parts.

After the second installation, Tom had to head back home, but we still had two more nest boxes to put up. The remaining two boxes were slated for the Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, on adjacent gamelands in Durham County. Hunting lands, while seemingly dangerous to all flying critters, are actually beneficial for non-game species like the Barn Owl. State regulated hunting lands are subsidized by license fees, and are well managed by trained professionals. Where any sort of grassland or wetland management is in place, Barn Owl nest box programs should take full advantage. 

By noon, storms were threatening again, and the team went right to work. Chris leveled the ground, while Norm and Sasha navigated the pole mount system.

Within minutes, the third box of the day was put into place. It now takes us, on average, about twenty minutes to install a nest box, once the pole and box have been assembled and transported. These boxes can easily be placed by a team of only three people.

As you can see, this box is easily accessible by the public, being located next to the trail around the main impoundment. In the spring, the water will be drawn down, leaving most of the area as relatively dry, open fields. Below is a shot from across the impoundment, and illustrates what much of the area may look like in late March. If you squint, you may see the small white speck that is the nest box.

Box four was to be installed on the opposite side of the main impoundment, in much the same habitat. The division of labor had already taken on a predictable pattern by this point. I still enjoyed the role of staff photographer, though I admit to being a little jealous of Chris and his chainsaw.

With the hardwood mulch inside the box, and the mount fixed, Sasha and the gang did another Iwo Jima impression.

Due to the prevailing winds, and the movement of the sun, it's important to orient the opening of the nest box to the southeast. This prevents the dehydration and overheating of any future inhabitants, especially during spring and summer.

Four nest boxes are now installed at Butner Game Lands and the nearby Flat River Waterfowl Impoundments. We are especially excited to have Chris and the Wildlife Resources Commission as partners in sponsoring these four boxes. Having dedicated biology professionals on board is crucial to bringing Barn Owls back in any sustainable numbers.

Please be mindful that the Butner Gamelands and Flat River Impoundments are open for hunting during most of the year. Although birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts are welcome, it's best to explore the areas on Sundays, when hunting is off limits. Please check with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, or your local wildlife officer, before venturing onto state managed gameland properties.
The Piedmont Barn Owl Initiative now has 6 boxes up in Durham County, and a total of 18 in the four county Triangle region. We are hoping to put 8 more boxes up before springtime. With any luck, we may just get a roosting Barn Owl, or even a nesting pair, this April or May. Stay tuned!!!