It is currently 29 Mar 2024, 14:14

You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

This forum is for any general questions, queries or plain old chinwaggery on Woody stuff in general.

You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

Postby StevieB » 23 Nov 2018, 09:55

We live in the middle of a town. The middle mind, not the edge. SWMBO feeds the birds (excessively in my opinion), we have the odd grey squirrel and a few big trees nearby including a big London Plane in our garden that I want to die but has a TPO on it so I cannot help it along. SWMBO then saw a feature on owl boxes in some magazine or other and looked at their website and found the plans. Now it is easy enough to build, but the chance of an owl noticing it, let alone nesting in it given our location and that of the tree is pretty much zero at best. But for a quiet life I agreed to make the box anyway....

https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/owl-boxes-for-trees/

So my question for you more knowledgeable types is, where does one get treated plywood from?! Goggle doesn't seem to know and SWMBO vetoed the idea of one made of OSB, one wrapped in plastic or one with an offcut of EPDM roof (no imagination some people!). I reckon standard WBP ply would be fine but any thoughts?
StevieB
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 886
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:47
Location: Chatteris, Cambridgeshire
Name:

Re: You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

Postby Rod » 23 Nov 2018, 10:29

Marine ply should be available but it’s expensive.
If there’s any concrete structures being built nearby, you might be lucky to find some offcuts or skipped used pieces ( used for concrete shutters ).

As the chances of attracting an owl are pretty low, why not use ordinary ply and it treat yourself.
It might last a few years??

Rod
User avatar
Rod
Old Oak
 
Posts: 4471
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:34
Location: Winchester, Hampshire
Name:

Re: You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

Postby marineboy » 23 Nov 2018, 14:01

I made 2 nest boxes in my garden about 5 years ago from untreated ply. There has been some degradation but they should remain serviceable for another 5 at least.
User avatar
marineboy
Seedling
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 07 Aug 2018, 17:18
Location: Blyth, Northumberland
Name: Nick

Re: You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

Postby Andyp » 23 Nov 2018, 14:59

Whatever you do try not to encourage tawny owls anywhere near your house. We have a couple very local and their favourite treat is to call each other at about 4.30am. Beautiful to look at but I am seriously considering cutting down the tree that the hoot from.

We have been trying to encourage little owls with a next box on the side of the barn. About 6 years now and only used by sparrows so far.

Good luck with the box, let us know how it turns out.
I do not think therefore I do not am.

cheers
Andy
User avatar
Andyp
Petrified Pine
 
Posts: 11724
Joined: 22 Jul 2014, 07:05
Location: 14860 Normandy, France
Name: Andy

Re: You know when SWMBO gets an idea......

Postby StevieB » 23 Nov 2018, 15:12

Thanks All, I can live with WBP and a shorter lifespan - perhaps if I put it up with enough copper roofing nails I can also do something about the tree :twisted:

Will post some pics Andy - but don't expect one of an owl poking its head out of the box any time soon!
StevieB
Nordic Pine
 
Posts: 886
Joined: 21 Jul 2014, 21:47
Location: Chatteris, Cambridgeshire
Name:


Return to General Woodworking

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests