Box 25: Fearrington Village

Fearrington Village is a residential community south of Chapel Hill, best known for its Belted Galloway cows. The rare Scottish beef breed looks like an oreo cookie on four legs, and is especially popular with children. Families come from all over the region to take photos of the cows and take in the scenery.

Fearrington is also a popular retirement community, offering the allure of a rural English village with Carolina weather. The large barn, once part of the old Fearrington farm, has been converted into a space used for weddings, art shows, and concerts. Charming shops and eateries fill the village square, and a five star restaurant and inn are well known destinations.  Here's a view of the inn and gardens:

The open pasture and fields surrounding Fearrington offer good habitat for birds and wildlife, and potentially for Barn Owls. The community at Fearrington has also been a big supporter of New Hope Audubon over the years. So I approached Laura Morgan, the general manager at Fearrington, about putting up a Barn Owl nest box there. She enthusiastically supported the idea.

After reviewing the possible locations for installation, we decided on a spot at the edge of a field south of the inn. The location offered relative seclusion, direct access to habitat, and ease of observation. The only stipulation was that the proposed wooden post be painted white, to blend in with the surrounding architectural theme.

Laura graciously offered to help with installation, early on a Saturday in late winter. Within an hour, we had dug the two foot hole for the post, and mounted the box with the necessary brackets. We then hoisted the box into place. The entrance hole was faced southeast, towards open pasture, and the post was secured in concrete. Here I am with the finished product:

Here's a view from across the pasture. Fearrington residents can easily view the box from the bend in the road at West Madison.

Fearrington Village, famous for it's barn, restaurant, inn, and cows, may one day become famous for its Barn Owls.