How to Attract Stunning Owls to Your Garden with These Simple Tips

As an avid birder with over 7 years of experience attracting various species to my backyard, I’ve had great success enticing owls to visit my garden. These magnificent raptors are a joy to observe, but convincing them your yard is owl-friendly can be tricky. In this blog post, I’ll share the best tips I’ve learned on How to Attract Stunning Owls to Your Garden with These Simple Tips. 

After much trial and error, I’ve discovered several simple methods to make your outdoor space irresistible to these stunning birds. With the strategic placement of nest boxes, thoughtful landscaping decisions, and a reliable source of their favorite snacks, you’ll be rewarded with frequent owl sightings in no time!

Install Sturdy Owl Nesting Boxes in Ideal Locations

The first step to attract owls is providing enticing real estate. Installing owl-specific nesting boxes in quiet, secluded areas of your yard gives them a place to roost and raise their young during breeding season.

I recommend placing multiple next boxes at least 100 feet apart on tree trunks 15-30 feet high, oriented away from prevailing winds and intense sunlight. The entrance hole should be no larger than 3-4 inches so owlets can’t accidentally fall out. Based on the owl species native to your area, you’ll want to tailor the box dimensions accordingly.

For example, I live in the Pacific Northwest where barred and great horned owls are common. For these larger owl species, I construct boxes at least 20 inches high, 16 inches deep, and 12-15 inches wide. I paint the exterior a camouflaging olive green and add plenty of wood shavings inside as bedding material.

By installing sturdy owl nesting boxes in optimal locations around your property, you greatly increase your chances of attracting a mating pair looking for prime real estate to start a family.

Leverage Landscaping Strategies Owls Love

In addition to offering nesting sites, incorporating landscaping elements that mimic the owl habitat found in nature will make your yard even more enticing.

Owls favor areas with a mix of high perches and open spaces, allowing them to survey for prey while remaining hidden by overhead tree canopy. To achieve this habitat structure, I intersperse evergreen trees along my fence line for roosting while keeping the center lawn area trimmed low.

I also planted bushes and shrubs around my yard perimeter to attract small rodents and insects that owls like to eat. Oak, maple, and ash trees provide natural cavities for shelter, and I incorporate large rocks, stumps, and woody debris for added roosting and hiding spots.

By thoughtfully designing your garden’s layout and foliage, you can cater to an owl’s specialized habitat preferences. The right planting scheme goes a long way towards encouraging these birds to move in!

Offer Tasty Treats Like Rodents and Insects

Now that you’ve crafted the perfect owl habitat, it’s time to stock their menu! Owls are ravenous carnivores, feasting mainly on small rodents like mice and voles along with large insects. Making these tasty treats readily available is key to convincing owls your yard is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Luckily, attracting small mammals and bugs is easy! I simply let vegetation grow a bit wild in designated areas of my yard. Long grass, fallen branches, and leaf litter attract insects and shelter rodents. I also installed a small pond which amphibians and insects flock to.

You can give rodent populations even more of a boost by setting up bait stations with seed mix and fruits around your yard (but be sure to keep them away from gardens and home foundations!)

As a bonus, owls also love to snack on birds attracted to backyard feeders. So having well-stocked feeders year-round is an easy way to supplement their diet. By ensuring a solid food source is available at all times, your yard is sure to become an owl hot spot when hunger strikes!

Follow These Expert Tips for Fast Owl Attraction Success

If you’re eager to catch sight of a majestic owl sailing silently across your yard, follow my proven methods to make your outdoor space irresistible. Installing proper nest boxes, landscaping for their habitat needs, and offering tasty menu items are guaranteed to bring feathered new lodgers in short order!

I wish you the very best of luck in your owl-attracting endeavors! With some patience and strategic planning, you’ll be rewarded with a glimpse of wide eyes and powerful talons gracing your backyard.

Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below! After 7 years of trial and error, I’m happy to share the owl-attracting secrets I’ve learned to help fellow birding enthusiasts succeed in enticing these incredible raptors to their yards.

Also Read – The Ultimate Guide to Raising Chickens in Your Backyard Like a Pro